A physician has partnered with a large pharmaceutical company to conduct clinical trials on a new cholesterol-lowering medication. The physician is preparing to travel to a conference where he will be a faculty guest lecturer and present the potential benefits of this new medication to physician attendees. The pharmaceutical company offers to provide him with pre-made presentation slides, reimbursement for travel expenses, and a modest honorarium. According to American Medical Association guidelines for physician behavior, which of the following is appropriate to accept from the pharmaceutical company?

Question

A physician has partnered with a large pharmaceutical company to conduct clinical trials on a new cholesterol-lowering medication.  The physician is preparing to travel to a conference where he will be a faculty guest lecturer and present the potential benefits of this new medication to physician attendees.  The pharmaceutical company offers to provide him with pre-made presentation slides, reimbursement for travel expenses, and a modest honorarium.  According to American Medical Association guidelines for physician behavior, which of the following is appropriate to accept from the pharmaceutical company?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Explanation: In general, physicians are not allowed to accept any payments for travel expenses from pharmaceutical companies. However, the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics (Opinion 8.061 on Gifts to Physicians from Industry) makes a distinction between physicians attending conferences and physicians lecturing at conferences. Physicians attending conferences cannot accept subsidies from industry for travel costs, lodging, or other personal expenses. However, it is permissible for faculty physician lecturersto acceptreasonable honoraria and/or reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses. Prior to delivering a presentation, a physician receiving industry payment or support for a conference must fully disclose the name of the company, his/her participation in company-funded research projects, and the nature of financial ties to the company. Likewise, an explanatory statement disclosing conflicts of interest should accompany all published research. (Choice B) Physicians lecturing at industry-sponsored programs should retain full control over the presentation's content. A pharmaceutical company is not permitted to influence or alter lecture content to promote its product. AMA guidelines have been developed to assist physicians who choose to partner with pharmaceutical companies. However, some individual physicians and institutions adhere to more restrictive policies that prohibit gifts, honoraria, or travel expense coverage. This is due to the concern that compensation may potentially bias treatment and research decisions. In the absence of institutional policies, the physician is ultimately responsible for evaluating the risks and benefits of accepting compensation as a conference faculty lecturer. Educational objective: It is appropriate for a conference faculty member presenting a lecture to accept reasonable compensation from a pharmaceutical company (travel reimbursement and/or honoraria). However, it is inappropriate to allow the company to control the lecture's content or format.

A Physician Has Partnered with a Large Pharmaceutical Company to Conduct