AMA Policy on Freebies and Meals Clarified Save

A recent JAMA Internal Medicine report on pharmaceutical-sponsored meals disclosed that a $20 meal provided by a drug company could yields 2-5 times more prescriptions.  (Citation source http://buff.ly/2cd58i0)

The authors have clarified the current AMA policy on such meals:

The current guideline states that “To preserve the trust that is fundamental to the patient-physician relationship and public confidence in the profession, physicians should: (a) Decline cash gifts in any amount from an entity that has a direct interest in physicians’ treatment recommendations. (b) Decline any gifts for which reciprocity is expected or implied. (c) Accept an in-kind gift for the physician’s practice only when the gift: (i) will directly benefit patients, including patient education; and (ii) is of minimal value.”