Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Gifts to Doctors Limited

On August 10, 2008, Gov. Patrick signed St.2008, c.305, which limits the gifts pharmaceutical companies can give to health care providers. According to the Boston Globe, the law bans "certain types of gifts such as sports tickets and free travel, and requires that pharmaceutical and medical device-making firms publicly disclose gifts worth more than $50."

"The new law also provides $25 million to promote electronic medical record-keeping in doctors' offices, requires the state university to graduate more primary care doctors, and gives regulators the power to hold hearings when health insurers want to raise premiums."