A gift or a bribe? (Stateline).Vermont Vermont (vərmŏnt`) [Fr.,=green mountain], New England state of the NE United States. It is bordered by New Hampshire, across the Connecticut R. has become the first state to take aim at drug companies' practice of showering free gifts--from ballpoint pens to trips--on doctors and nurses. Under the new law, any gift valued at $25 or more, other than free drug samples, must be reported to the state by pharmaceutical companies. The law includes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation VIOLATION. An act done unlawfully and with force. In the English stat. of 25 E. III., st. 5, c. 2, it is declared to be high treason in any person who shall violate the king's companion; and it is equally high treason in her to suffer willingly such violation. , with the first reports due January January: see month. 2004. Proponents of the law charge that the use of freebies drives up medical costs by encouraging doctors to prescribe pre·scribe v. To give directions, either orally or in writing, for the preparation and administration of a remedy to be used in the treatment of a disease. new, more expensive brand name drugs. Critics contend that the gifts do not influence doctors and are merely educational tools for new products. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion