Bill > S1301

This bill aims to prevent undue influence on prescriber behavior by amending the existing Chapter 111N of the General Laws. The key provisions are: 1. Defining "Modest Meals and Refreshments" as food and/or drinks provided by or paid for by a pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing company or agent, with a cost not exceeding the allowance defined by the U.S. General Services Administration for Massachusetts per diem localities. These allowable amounts will be updated annually. 2. Prohibiting the provision of alcoholic beverages during presentations by pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing companies, and requiring meals and refreshments to be provided within the context of the informational presentation, not before or after. 3. Expanding the reporting requirements for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing companies to include details such as the total amount spent on meals, venue, and other items of economic value provided during their presentations to prescribers. 4. Requiring the Department of Public Health to collect receipts for all required reporting expenditures under this law. The overall goal of this bill is to increase transparency and limit the potential for undue influence on prescriber behavior through the provision of meals, refreshments, and other items of economic value by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing companies.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1301