AMSA Pharm-free Scorecard 2010
B Albany Medical College
City: Albany State: NY
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Commentary:

Albany Medical College has provided a set of strong policies that generally well-address the scorecard domains.  Highlights of these policies include a general prohibition on samples and a ban on vendor gifts. The provision of regular disclosure requirements for staff and limitations on long-term speaking relationships such as speakers’bureaus would strengthen this policy, .


This institution has not consented to allow their policy to be publicly posted or quoted for illustrative purposes.

 

In 2010 additional policies were provided to the 2010 AMSA PharmFree Scorecard. Albany Medical College's score remains a B.

 

This institution's evaluation was last updated: 12/05/2010



Gifts & Meals 2 Only gifts of monetary value, from vendors, single students and governmental employees are prohibited. All other gifts must be of nominal value.
Consulting relationships 2 There is institutional review of staff consulting relationships, but no explicit requirement for consulting relationships to be described in a contract. (Although relationships related to educational events must be described in a contract, there is no evidence that this requirement broadly applies to other consulting agreements.)
Industry-funded speaking relationships 2 Speakers and their managers must review content to ensure that the program is primarily educational in intent and presents a balance of available options or perspectives.
Disclosure 1 Only selected personnel are required to disclose COI on an annual basis.
Pharmaceutical samples 3 Samples are generally prohibited from being distributed at the institution.  Exceptions must be specially requesting in writing and approved by the Director of Pharmacy or the Formulary Committee.
Purchasing & Formularies 2 All committee members must disclose conflicts of interest, but the policy does not require that conflicted members recuse themselves from deliberations.
Industry Sales Representatives 2 Industry representatives may come on-site only by appointment and at the request of the individual being visited.
On-campus Education 2 While this institution establishes good oversight of industry funds to support educational events, it is not clear that industry may not stipulate the department to receive the funds, or stipulate the topic of the event.
Attendance at Industry-Sponsored Lectures & Meetings Off-Campus 2 The policy prevents industry from earmarking individuals for support for off-site education, but it is not clear that individuals cannot accept payment for attendance.
Industry Support for Scholarships & Funds for Trainees 3 Although the policy does not differentiate between trainees and staff, it does prohibit industry from earmarking individuals for support for off-site education. 
Medical school curriculum 1 Correspondence submitted with this institution’s policies refers to course requirements addressing conflicts of interest, but no evidence of this was included.
Do the policies specify an oversight mechanism? Yes Oversight is established
Are there explicit sanctions for noncompliance? Yes Sanctions are referenced
What the results mean...
3Model policy
2Good progress toward model policy
1No policy, or policy unlikely to have a substantial effect on behavior
0Did not report
N/APolicy not relevant to this institution (e.g., does not make purchasing decisions)