Rocky Mountain News Examines Proposed Prescription Drugs Ethics Act

The Rocky Mountain News has published a good analysis of the proposed Prescription Drugs Ethics Act, which is scheduled for a committee hearing today.

SB 166, sponsored by Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, would ban wholesale drug or medical device distributors from giving gifts to health care providers. It would also block drug manufacturers and distributors from gaining access to data about state health program patients' prescriptions for use in marketing efforts.

The measure would also require those distributors and manufacturers to disclose their advertising and marketing expenses if they participate in state-sponsored programs aimed at providing health care services.

The article by the Rocky's Ed Sealover says that opponents of the measure will argue that it could drive drug manufacturers out of the state and prevent drug companies from keeping doctors informed about new products.