The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has a new policy limiting conflicts of interest with drug reps and pharmaceutical companies.

Under the new policy, pharmaceutical representatives will be restricted to certain approved areas. Faculty, staff and trainees cannot accept any personal gifts while on the campus from private health care companies and cannot display items bearing industry logos, such as pens, pads, hats or tee shirts.

"Most doctors will tell you that they are not swayed by such items," said Dr. Eve Espey, professor and associate dean for student services. "However, data suggest that even small items influence prescribing in a potentially negative way for patient care and there is an increasingly strong public perception that physician acceptance of gifts is not good for patient care."

There are also stricter policies for accepting drug samples for patient use with the goal of encouraging physicians to select the best and most economical medications for their patients.
 

Another provision of the policy requires that Health Sciences Center faculty, staff and trainees may not accept compensation or gifts for listening to a sales pitch by an industry representative. The longtime practice of pharmaceutical-company-sponsored noon lectures and lunches will also come to an end over a three-year period.

The policy also calls for Health Sciences Center health care providers to conscientiously and actively divorce clinical care decisions (including referrals, and diagnostic or therapeutic management) from any potential or actual benefits accrued.