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Ohio State University College of Medicine | |
| City: Columbus | State: OH | |
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Commentary:Ohio State University College of Medicine submitted a new vendor relationship policy for review that went into effect July 1, 2009. This strong policy puts clear limits on external relationships with industry that are not for commensurate services or serve a uniquely marketing purpose. The use of samples is restricted to specific exceptions, and prescribing of generics is encouraged. For higher marks in the area of on-site educational events, this institution could ensure that any educational content presented on-site be subject to review by the institution to ensure absence of bias. In 2008 this institution submitted a set of policies that were provisionally assessed while the institution completed its new policy development. Their grade improves from a D to a B.
This institution's evaluation was last updated: 8/17/2009 |
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| Gifts & Meals |  |
Gifts, regardless of type or value, may not be accepted by covered persons. However, industry may give cash or educational gifts to medical center units. Meals provided directly to staff by industry are also prohibited, but industry may provide modest meals in the context of CME that they sponsor. |
| Consulting relationships | |
Consulting arrangements with industry must be described in a written agreement, and payment must be commensurate to the task, and fair market value. There are no provisions for mandatory institutional review of consulting agreements. |
| Industry-funded speaking relationships |  |
Commendably, this policy prohibits faculty from being kept on a retainer by industry for participation in a speakers’ bureau. Further, faculty may never accept participate in or present at a speakers’ bureau event where the goal of the activity is marketing a product. Presentation materials must be prepared solely by the medical center staff member. |
| Disclosure | |
Staff members engaging in paid outside activities must complete the Staff Extramural Activity Reporting Form in the case that the work may present a potential conflict of interest. |
| Pharmaceutical samples | |
The distribution of samples is prohibited, except when a clinical unit applies for an exception for a specific medication or patient population. Vendors may provide vouchers to clinical units, and prescribers are encouraged to prescribe generic medications to patients not able to easily afford medication. |
| Purchasing & Formularies | |
Staff participating in purchasing decisions must disclose all potential financial conflicts for review, but are not automatically required to recuse themselves from the process. |
| Industry Sales Representatives | |
Sales representatives are restricted to appointment only visits and have limited access to patient care areas and patients. |
| On-campus Education | |
Industry is permitted to provide direct funding to medical center units to support educational events on-site. The policy did not describe any institutional approval of presentation content or expressly limit industry control of that content. |
| Attendance at Industry-Sponsored Lectures & Meetings Off-Campus | |
Medical center staff may not accept meals at off-sit events or payment for attendance. Travel support may only be accepted when the recipients are chosen by the department. |
| Industry Support for Scholarships & Funds for Trainees | |
The institution must choose the recipient of any scholarship funding from industry. |
| Medical school curriculum | |
The institution provided course material addressing the potential influence of industry relationships on medical decision-making. |
| Do the policies specify an oversight mechanism? |  |
Oversight is established |
| Are there explicit sanctions for noncompliance? | |
Sanctions are referenced |
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 | Model policy |
 | Good progress toward model policy |
 | No policy, or policy unlikely to have a substantial effect on behavior |
 | Did not report |
 | Policy not relevant to this institution (e.g., does not make purchasing decisions) |
