Bill > S1186

This bill aims to improve the integrity of how pharmaceutical and medical device companies market their products by establishing new regulations and disclosure requirements. It defines terms like "gift" to clarify what is considered a prohibited offering to healthcare practitioners, excluding items like inherited gifts or prescription drugs for patients. The bill prohibits pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturer agents from giving any gift to healthcare practitioners, their families, employees, or facilities, with exceptions for academic or scientific information. Furthermore, it mandates that pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing companies must annually disclose to the Department of Public Health the value, nature, purpose, and recipient of any payments or economic benefits provided to healthcare professionals, with this information generally being made public. The bill also requires the licensing of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturer agents, including mandatory training and continuing education, and sets penalties for violations, which can include fines of up to $5,000 per violation.