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ARTICLE · 16 JULY 2012

Massachusetts Gift Ban Narrowed To Allow Meals During Education Programs

Foley Hoag LLP
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As part of the annual state budget process, the Massachusetts legislature has narrowed several of the most contentious provisions of its so-called physician gift ban, Mass. Gen. L. c. 111N.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Colin Zick
Colin Zick
Tad Heuer
Tad Heuer
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As part of the annual state budget process, the Massachusetts legislature has narrowed several of the most contentious provisions of its so-called physician gift ban, Mass. Gen. L. c. 111N. These changes will have a significant effect on interactions between industry and health care providers in Massachusetts.

The most notable change is the elimination of the prohibition on restaurant meals. The revised statute now permits "the provision of or payment for modest meals and refreshments in connection with non-CME educational presentations for the purpose of educating and informing healthcare practitioners about the benefits, risks and appropriate uses of prescription drugs or medical devices, disease states or other scientific information, provided that such presentations occur in a venue and matter conducive to information communication."

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