FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 26, 2014
Have Medical Schools Taken on the Challenge?
Sterling, VA – The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) finds that most medical schools have solid, though not outstanding, Conflict of Interest (COI) policies, according to its newly released 2014 medical school scorecard. The 2014 scorecard applies stricter criteria for evaluating COI policies than in previous years and challenges medical schools to take the lead in protecting students, residents, and patients from the marketing influence of industry. This updated scorecard also provides a more refined framework for schools to assess how they regulate and manage industry relationships.
The 2014 AMSA Scorecard (www.amsascorecard.org), part of the Just Medicine Campaign and formerly known as the AMSA PharmFree Scorecard, found that while medical school policies have strengthened over the years, offering broader protections against conflicts of interest in medical education, most institutions still received a “B” grade, indicating that industry influence remains a significant factor in medical training.
Of the 160 allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in the U.S., 26 (16%) received an A, 83 (52%) earned a B, and 25 (16%) received a C. Schools that did not submit their policies for review received an I (Incomplete) if their policies were not fully accessible through public sources.
“The AMSA Scorecard has evolved as our understanding of industry influence in medical education has deepened,” says Teddy Fagrelius, former AMSA Just Medicine Fellow. “This is not about creating unnecessary barriers but rather about setting essential safeguards within the profession and fostering a commitment among future physicians to evidence-based decision-making that prioritizes patient care. While we are encouraged to see some medical schools adopting strong policies, we remain concerned that many still allow students to be exposed to industry-driven promotion.”
In 2012, an expert task force, including leaders from eight of the nation’s top medical schools and hospitals, as well as representatives from AMSA and other medical, physician, and consumer organizations, was convened by The Pew Charitable Trusts. This group assessed the state of COI policies at medical schools and teaching hospitals and provided recommendations for best practices. The updated scorecard methodology integrates many of these recommendations, reflecting a significant and measurable shift in how policies are evaluated and rated.
About the Just Medicine Campaign
Launched in 2002, AMSA’s PharmFree Campaign – now known as the Just Medicine Campaign – works with medical schools and academic medical centers to develop policies that uphold the integrity of medical education by reducing conflicts of interest and strengthening regulations on interactions with pharmaceutical and medical device industries. The campaign helps medical students advocate for evidence-based, rather than marketing-driven, prescribing practices, the elimination of conflicts of interest, and broader global access to essential medicines. AMSA provides toolkits, talks, and training programs to support medical students in advancing these goals. For more information, visit www.amsa.org/JustMedicine.
About the American Medical Student Association
AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at www.amsa.org.