Parker Waichman LLP

U of Minnesota Medical School Considers Banning Most Gifts to Doctors

  Minnesota Medical School Conflict-of-interest Policies. The University of Minnesota Medical School is considering adopting what would be one of the toughest conflict-of-interest policies in the country. If enacted, the proposed new policy would ban most – if not all – industry gifts to doctors at the school. The ties between drug companies and medical device […]

Minnesota Medical School

 

Minnesota Medical School Conflict-of-interest Policies. The University of Minnesota Medical School is considering adopting what would be one of the toughest conflict-of-interest policies in the country. If enacted, the proposed new policy would ban most – if not all – industry gifts to doctors at the school.

The ties between drug companies and medical device makers and the doctors who prescribe their products have been under increasing scrutiny.  Critics worry that such ties overly-influence prescribing practices. Both the US Justice Department and the US Congress have investigated the issue, and Massachusetts recently enacted requires pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to report all gifts to doctors that exceed $50.

Last week two prominent U.S. senators — Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, and Herb Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat — sent a letter to the president of Columbia University in New York asking for details on the income from drug and medical device companies received by 22 doctors who conduct research at the Ivy League institution.

Medical device maker Medtronic Inc.

Medical device maker Medtronic Inc. has also been scrutinized recently for the way it promoted its Infuse Bone Graft product.  The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently warned that unapproved use of Infuse had been linked to serious and life threatening adverse events.

Kohl  and Grassley have each written letters to Medtronic, asking for records relating to consulting contracts it has with physicians for Infuse Bone Graft.

Grassley also asked Medtronic to provide information about adverse events related to off-label use of Infuse.   They want to know if Medtronic used gifts, consulting fee payments, and other inducements to promote off-label use of Infuse.

One University of Minnesota doctor, Dr. David Polly, who heads the school’s Spine Service, was named in the letter Grassley sent to Medtronic.

Under this increasing pressure, medical schools are finally beginning to address the problem of industry influence.  According to the Associated Press, about a quarter of all U.S. medical schools have now implemented policies governing  industry gifts.

Some have gone so far as to ban drug company sales reps from handing out free samples, although drug companies can usually make donations to a central supply office.

University of Minnesota  would ban personal gifts from industry to doctors

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the policy being considered at the University of Minnesota  would ban personal gifts from industry to doctors. Free drug samples would be limited.

Industry support for doctors’ continuing medical education would be phased out. Doctors’ consulting relationships would be disclosed to both patients and the public. Those financial ties would be monitored far more closely.

A draft of the proposal has already been reviewed by the medical school’s dean, and distributed to faculty for comment.  According to the Star Tribune, reaction from the school’s faculty has so far been mixed.

Need Legal Help Regarding Minnesota Medical School?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
This law firm is excellent. The staff is always accessible, concerned, caring, and knowledgeable. My law team of Julie Trinidad, Maryann Galizzi, and Nurse Joanne are consistently working to assist and support me throughout this process. Thank you all.
Mike Primo
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I have been very happy with Parker Waichman's help with my 9/11 claim. I called after seeing a commercial and the law firm sent an investigator to my home to help me sign up, it was very easy. My paralegal Christina Morace always called me to keep me updated and checked on me throughout the whole waiting process for my compensation. I am very happy with all of her help and I would definitely recommend this law firm to my friends and family. Thank you Christina and Parker Waichman!
Armando Henry
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I love my lawyers
Eliseo Morales Herranz
6 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038