Last week the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) released the results of its fourth “PharmFree Scorecard” project. The AMSA PharmFree Scorecard (https://www.amsascorecard.org) offers a comprehensive national overview as well as an in-depth school-by-school analysis in 11 areas, including gifts and meals from industry to doctors, paid promotional speaking for industry, acceptance of free drug samples, interaction with sales representatives and industry-funded education. Des Moines University was awarded an “A” on the scorecard.
DMU was unable to complete its pharmaceutical conflict of interest policy in time for the 2009 AMSA review and posting of grades. However, AMSA did grade the initial DMU policy and awarded it a grade of “D”. The policy was revised and several speakers hosted discussions on campus. The new policy, which was instituted May 2010, was submitted to AMSA this year.
Of the 152 U.S. medical schools, only 19 received As, while 60 were awarded Bs, 24 Cs, 18 Ds and 26 Fs.
