Robert N. Butler M.D., a New York physician and nationally known expert in gerontology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, has added his name to the long list of leading doctors and health consumer groups who are endorsing passage of Rx gift disclosure legislation, S.2971 (Maziarz)/A.7468(Gottfried). In the meantime, drug companies are trying to halt the legislation, claiming it is not necessary.
“AARP welcomes the support of this critical issue from a national leader here in our state,” said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director. “With just one week left in the New York State Legislative session, we have an important and timely opportunity to adopt a statewide policy to require disclosure of certain marketing activities. Unfortunately, drug companies and their army of lobbyists have come to Albany to kill this bill when so many New Yorkers could benefit from its passage,” she said.
The bill requires drug companies to annually report to the New York State Department of Health for disclosure to the public, all gifts (excluding free samples) to health care practitioners who prescribe drugs when such gifts have a value of $75 or more.
Dr. Robert N. Butler, President and CEO of the International Longevity Center and Professor of Geriatrics and Adult Development at the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development at Mount Sinai Medical Center, wrote a letter to members of the New York Legislature calling on them to support “legislation that will, in my view, take a major step towards strengthening patient confidence and limiting industry influence on the medical profession.”