May 22, 2008 Announcement

Beginning July 1, 2008, the University of California implemented a new policy, “Policy on Health Care Vendor Relations” which provides systemwide standards aimed at eliminating the potential of industry influence on health care providers’ decision making.  This move is in keeping with approaches implemented at other Academic Medical Centers across the country.

Highlights of the new policy:

-          Prohibits gifts from vendors made directly to individuals.

o        Examples of gifts include:  free lunches, free drug samples, free promotional products.

o        The policy permits vendors to donate money to the “Regents of UC” to support the University’s mission of education, patient care and research. There is also an exception for sample donations for use in the University-sanctioned free clinics.

-          Prohibits uninvited health care vendor sales calls;

-          Prohibits on-site use of any branded promotional products;

-          Enhances patient confidentiality provisions;

-          Requires that vendor paid preceptorships be conducted as either University courses or as continuing education courses;

-          Requires training on the new policy with all affected individuals.

The policy applies to all UC workforce members including UCSD Health Sciences, UCSD Medical Center, and UCSD Medical Group personnel.

To learn more about the policy, review the policy attachments below and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Please also note the attached introductory letter from President Dynes.  Information regarding local implementation and training have been issued by the UCSD Health Science Compliance Office.  Questions may be directed to the Compliance Program Director, Kathleen Naughton (619-471-9152, knaughton@ucsd.edu) or to the Chief Compliance / Privacy Officer, Lee Giddings, M.D. (lgiddings@ucsd.edu).