JAMA Calls for End to Industry Support of Societies, Exempts Exhibits

Medical associations should aim to eliminate all funding from the healthcare industry "except for income from journal advertising and exhibit hall fees," according to an article in the April 1, 2009, issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The article, whose authors include JAMA editor-in-chief Catherine DeAngelis, also offers recommendations for steps organizations can take to begin eliminating perceived conflicts of interest, such as this recommendation related to exhibits:

"A PMA [professional medical association] may choose to permit industry to purchase and occupy booths in adjoining exhibit hall space at conferences. However, these booths should not be in the obligate path to a scientific or educational session, and must be clearly delineated so that attendees understand that they are entering a marketing site, and are free to do so or not to do so as they choose.... The PMAs should also set standards for the conduct of an exhibit booth, including a ban on all gifts and food." (Note: HCEA's "Guidelines for U.S. Healthcare Conventions" already contain recommendations on exhibitor conduct.)

Other recommendations include establishing independent CME committees to distribute unrestricted, educational industry grants; disallowing company logos from tote bags, lanyards, pens, notebooks, and publications distributed at conferences; and making clear to participants in industry-supported satellite symposia that the association does not endorse the satellite programs. (Note: In 2008, HCEA issued its own guidelines related to exhibitor-supported educational symposia.)

These recommendations are not binding on other associations. Last year the AMA tabled consideration of a report recommending that medical societies not accept industry funding to support continuing medical education. To view the JAMA article, visit here (you will need to register with the site to view the article).