Where We Stand
Section: Professional Standards
Policy: Gifts from Industry

Gifts from Industry

It is OMA policy regarding relationships with the pharmaceutical industry that it should clarify the mode and motives of physicians' relationships with the pharmaceutical industry and other suppliers of medical equipment and devices.
OMA encourages this continued relationship, emphasizing the following goals:
  • To maintain the highest possible standards in medical education pertaining to medicine and surgery and related disciplines.
  • To promote the highest possible standards in clinical practice, education and research in all branches of medicine and surgery and related disciplines.
  • To promote the highest standards of patient care and promote the public interest relating to medicine and surgery.
  • To promote the highest standards in the allied health professions and services as they relate to medical and surgical practice.
OMA encourages the following types of support:
  • Direct support for innovative pilot education projects for physicians and allied health professionals.
  • Direct support for scientific programs at medical meetings.
  • Direct support for patient educational projects.
  • Direct support for clinical and research projects.
  • Direct support for endowed chairs in all aspects of medical education.
OMA does not endorse any significant gift, financial or otherwise, by the pharmaceutical industry or other suppliers of medical devices to physicians, clinics, or other medical facilities.
The Oregon Medical Association re-emphasizes to its members that physicians should not receive compensation from pharmaceutical firms or suppliers of medical devices in return for prescribing or using their products.
Adopted at the annual House of Delegates, 1983.
Adopted the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs "Opinion on Gifts to Physicians from Industry" at the annual House of Delegates, 1991.
Reaffirmed at the annual House of Delegates, 2011.


OMA and AMA should more aggressively publicize professional standards pertaining to the acceptance of gifts or favors in exchange for participation in pharmaceutical and medical device product presentations.
Adopted at the interim House of Delegates, 1999.
Reaffirmed at the annual House of Delegates, 2011.


OMA should publicize professional standards on the acceptance of gifts from the pharmaceutical industry via STAT.
Adopted at the interim House of Delegates, 2000.
Reaffirmed at the annual House of Delegates, 2011.


OMA should develop and distribute a press release on OMA policy of acceptance of gifts from the pharmaceutical industry.
Adopted at the interim House of Delegates, 2000.
Reaffirmed at the annual House of Delegates, 2011.


OMA should invite pharmaceutical companies to comply with OMA policy on acceptance of gifts, and regularly make available to physicians and the public an up-to-date list of those companies who do comply.
Adopted at the interim House of Delegates, 2000.
Reaffirmed at the annual House of Delegates, 2011.


OMA encourages physicians to get their information regarding pharmaceuticals, supplements and devices from unbiased, evidence-based, and peer-reviewed literature. The OMA urges physicians to stop accepting any gifts from pharmaceutical companies, including both large items (trips, meals) and small items (pens, notepads) and everything in between. Physicians should carefully weigh the ethical implications prior to accepting drug samples from pharmaceutical companies. Given the inherent bias of pharmaceutical representatives who detail physicians, physicians should consider giving priority to other sources of information regarding the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals.
Adopted at the annual House of Delegates, 2006.


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