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University of Massachusetts Medical School | |
| City: Worcester | State: MA | |
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Commentary: This institution supports this strong policy with a lucid and practical frequently asked questions document. Highlights include a ban on gifts and meals, prohibition of speaker's bureaus, and a strong curricular component. University of Massachusetts Medical School submitted a revised policy after the release of the 2010 Scorecard. This policy received a B. The samples and education domains were re-evaluated at the request of the school in April 2011. These domain scores and the overall school grade remained unchanged. This institution's evaluation was last updated: 04/10/2011 |
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| Gifts & Meals |  |
The policy prohibits all gifts and all on-site meals except for meals associated with CMEs. |
| Consulting relationships |  |
While the policy does not require prior approval for consulting, it does require that all consulting arrangements be at fair market value and defined in a written contract. |
| Industry-funded speaking relationships | |
The policy prohibits the participation in speaker's bureaus and charges all speakers to be in complete control of their material. |
| Disclosure | |
The policy clearly requires staff to disclose at least annually all financial interests. |
| Pharmaceutical samples | |
There are two separate policies covering two areas of the health system, one requires samples to be given to the pharmacy but does not describe a program but rather recommends that samples be used for needy populations. The other policy covers outpatient clinics and requires that samples be used only for indigent populations but allows for samples to be given directly to physicians. |
| Purchasing & Formularies | |
Individuals with financial ties to industry are prohibited from serving on the P&T committee. |
| Industry Sales Representatives | |
Representatives are permitted in non-patient care areas by scheduled appointment only. |
| On-campus Education | |
While the policy does require that funds be given to the institution wide foundation, it allows for the funding to be restricted to a specific department. This negates "arms length" funding that the institutional fund has, even with proper oversight of the funding at the departmental level. |
| Attendance at Industry-Sponsored Lectures & Meetings Off-Campus | |
The policy prohibits industry from having any input on the selection of scholarship recipient. |
| Industry Support for Scholarships & Funds for Trainees | |
Industry is prohibited from being involved in the selection of scholarship or trainee funds. |
| Medical school curriculum | |
Supplied curriculum discusses issues surrounding industry and it's effects on care and does so throughout the entire medical education. |
| Do the policies specify an oversight mechanism? |  |
Oversight established |
| Are there explicit sanctions for noncompliance? | |
Sanctions 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) |
