Guest guest Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 We have been informed that as of January 1, 2009 drug reps will no longer be able to distribute marketing items such as pens, pads, etc. that have their name on them. Does anyone know if this law applies to physical therapy marketing? Lane Blondheim Active Health and Rehab Montgomery, AL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 Jane We are seeing a large number of local institutions " choose " to have a no solicitation policy in their hospital or clinic but I am not aware of a " law " prohibiting such a thing. The antikickback laws may come into play if the gift is of adequate value but should not affect an item as low in value as a pen etc. As always, we should look to the evidence for any statement like this. When you say you have " been informed " , by whom and with what authority to make such a statement? Thanks > > We have been informed that as of January 1, 2009 drug reps will no longer be able to distribute marketing items such as pens, pads, etc. that have their name on them. Does anyone know if this law applies to physical therapy marketing? > > Lane Blondheim > Active Health and Rehab > Montgomery, AL > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 , Thanks for the reply to my post (via my office manager). The source is a series of drug reps and a pharmicist in private practice for home IV infusion. Apparently, there is a new federal law enforcing NO gifts by pharmaceutical companies. One in particular stated that they cannot even give out pens with names/logos on them. Another drug rep is coming to my office again today. I will be sure to ask her (a veteran of that job description). We have dealt with the institutions that do not allow solicitation. That is a relatively easy " end-around " move. Stopping PT's from these inexpensive gifts will make marketing harder for us all. Yes, it will save us a few percentage points on our bottom lines, but those items help those of us in competitive markets out a lot. Should anyone have info on this, it would be appreciated by all of us in private practice. Lane Blondheim, PT, MT Active Health and Rehab Montgomery, AL > > > > We have been informed that as of January 1, 2009 drug reps will no > longer be able to distribute marketing items such as pens, pads, etc. > that have their name on them. Does anyone know if this law applies > to physical therapy marketing? > > > > Lane Blondheim > > Active Health and Rehab > > Montgomery, AL > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 On this drug rep note, I am wondering what may be changing: I just walked into a large orthopedic practice in the Atlanta area this afternoon while marketing our PT services. I had a Happy Holidays card, a Holiday photo of our practice personnel, new referral pads with our info/maps on them, and a small box of chocolates for the staff. Three staff members readily spoke up that the group has a new policy and can no longer accept any gifts, regardless of the value. we chatted a bit about our locations and services, but could not take the chocolates. When I inquired further, they also told me that they stopped scheduling any lunches/breakfasts for any " vendors " of any kind. They cited corporate compliance. I have been aware for years about accepting gifts personally that have substantial value, say $50 or more, but this particular policy is new and bold to me. On one hand, this may be welcomed as it spreads throughout the country...........Are others finding similar experiences, and does this relate to the drug rep question posed by Lane? If someone is familiar, can you please cite the reference - probably OIG? Don Walsh, PT, MS, OCS Northeast Georgia Medical Center > > > > We have been informed that as of January 1, 2009 drug reps will no > longer be able to distribute marketing items such as pens, pads, etc. > that have their name on them. Does anyone know if this law applies > to physical therapy marketing? > > > > Lane Blondheim > > Active Health and Rehab > > Montgomery, AL > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 18, 2008 Report Share Posted December 18, 2008 Lane: As stated in an earlier post, this is a " voluntary code " that is influencing the stance of healthcare institutions' policies on solicitation in general. There IS a federal Anti-Kickback Statute which is the main federal law that regulates the conduct that this code addresses. Here is an article that covers the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Laws: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3257/is_3_54/ai_60139659 Here is a link for more info on the PhRMA code (summarized below): www.phrma.org. The code has been instituted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to set standards around pharma's responsible interaction with healthcare professionals. The code, taking effect January of 2009, says that interactions should stick to medical and scientific issues: • Prohibits distribution of non-educational items (such as pens, mugs and other " reminder " objects typically adorned with a company or product logo) to healthcare providers and their staff. • Prohibits company sales representatives from providing restaurant meals to healthcare professionals, but allows them to provide occasional meals in healthcare professionals' offices in conjunction with informational presentations. • Includes new provisions that require companies to ensure that their representatives are sufficiently trained about applicable laws, regulations and industry codes of practice – including this Code – that govern interactions with healthcare professionals. • Provides that each company will state its intentions to abide by the Code and that company CEOs and Compliance Officers will certify each year that they have processes in place to comply, a process patterned after the concept of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance mechanisms. • Indicates that it is inappropriate for pharma companies to fund CME and other educational events sponsored or conducted by healthcare practitioners. PhRMA will post on its Web site a list of all companies that announce their pledge to follow the Code. Hope this helps, --- Larkin VP of Marketing Chart Links New Haven, CT > > > > > > We have been informed that as of January 1, 2009 drug reps will > no > > longer be able to distribute marketing items such as pens, pads, > etc. > > that have their name on them. Does anyone know if this law applies > > to physical therapy marketing? > > > > > > Lane Blondheim > > > Active Health and Rehab > > > Montgomery, AL > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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