The CME Coalition submitted comments this week to Maine’s Board of Pharmacy, calling on it to revisit its proposed rule to limit honoraria for physicians participating in CME activities to $250 per calendar year. The Board’s proposal implements a state law that prohibits industry gifts to physicians and establishes certain exemptions, such as the $250 exemption for payments for physicians sharing medical knowledge with their peers. That exemption does not allow for physicians to be adequately compensated for their time and expertise, which would lead to fewer knowledgeable doctors being willing to speak at CME programs.
“We are passionate about continuing medical education because we see the direct beneficial impact it has on physician excellence and patient outcomes. Eliminating the proposed rule’s strict limitation on the provision of honoraria to faculty members participating in accredited CME activities will allow physicians to continue to participate in CME without the risk of conflict-of-interest Maine rightly seeks to curtail,” the CME Coalition write in its comments to the Board.
| CME Coalition Comments on Maine 'Gift Ban' |
