When DMU’s initial pharmaceutical conflict of interest policy earned a grade of “D” in 2009 from the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the University community got to work. After many months of consulting with experts and holding open forums on campus, DMU submitted a revised policy that, last December, earned an “A” from AMSA.
The AMSA “PharmFree Scorecard,” now in its fourth year, offers a comprehensive national overview as well as an in-depth, school-by-school analysis in 11 areas, including gifts and meals from the pharmaceutical industry to doctors, paid promotional speaking for industry, acceptance of free drug samples, interaction with sales representatives and industry-funded education. In the December 2010 report, of the nation’s 152 medical schools, only 19 received As (13 percent), while 60 were awarded Bs (39 percent), 24 got Cs (16 percent), 18 earned Ds (12 percent) and 26 Fs (17 percent).
Leading DMU’s policy revision effort were Victor Kaylarian,D.O., chair of internal medicine; Cheryl Dahms, director of the DMU Clinic; and Karen McLean,Ph.D., provost.
