The New York Times today outlines new rules at Stanford that will prohibit its volunteer teaching staff from giving paid speeches written by drug or device companies and accepting industry gifts of any size, including drug samples. Such rules have applied to faculty since 2006 and are now being expanded to more than 600 community physicians affiliated with the school.
Noting that the medical school already has "one of the most comprehensive policies in the country governing the interactions between academic faculty and the medical industry," the piece quotes Dean Philip Pizzo, MD:
“We welcome interactions with industry that are positive and collaborative,” [Dr. Pizzo] said Saturday in a phone interview. “But where I think the line should not be crossed and where we are not going to allow our full-time or part-time faculty to engage is in marketing.”
...
"Witness the gradual deterioration in how physicians have been perceived,” Dr. Pizzo said. “We have to get back on the high road and avoid the negative interactions in which industry engages physicians in marketing products.”
Previously: Faculty consulting work: now on public view
