Hail the Sunshine Act (?)

Do you want to know if your doctor has been eating pizza for lunch that was purchased by Pfizer as she listened to a drug rep describe a new medication? Do you want to know if your endocrinologist has been paid $1,500 to give a brief talk about a new injectable diabetes medication to his colleagues as they gobble down filet mignon? If the answer is “yes,” then you are in luck. As the August 1st, 2013 deadline to start reporting information about these sorts of transactions approaches, doctors and hospitals are reevaluating whether a free tray of chicken salad wraps is worth the scrutiny. The Sunshine Act, a provision of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), requires companies that make drugs, medical devices, and biological medicines to report payments and items of value given to physicians and teaching hospitals. (specifics outlined by NEJM and AMA) Additionally manufacturers and group purchasing organizations must report certain ownership interests held by physicians and their immediate family members. It seems like physicians who own stock in a publicly traded pharmaceutical company do not have to report these shares, as they are generally available to everyone and are considered an “exempt” interest. But other terms of ownership and investment interest must be disclosed, including the dollar amount. A transfer of anything between a company and a physician that has a value above $10 must be reported. Cumulative gifts totaling $100 or more over a year must be rep...
Source: The Examining Room of Dr. Charles - Category: Primary Care Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: blogs