A California law that prohibits prescription drug industry’s inappropriate gifts to doctors took effect on July 1st, making this month the first chance to see if the companies are adhering to the law. Last fall when Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed six prescription drug bills -- most dealing with the topic of importation -- little attention was paid to a fair marketing bill which he signed. The measure, SB 1765 authored by Senator Byron Sher and sponsored by CALPIRG, requires drug companies to develop their own compliance programs that limit their gift-giving to doctors. The programs must be consistent with the industry's heretofore voluntary guidelines. The law also requires drug companies to publish their compliance programs on their websites and to certify annually that they are in compliance with the law.
