Doctors Allergic to Swag

In accordance with new marketing procedures, Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has prohibited promotional items without informational purpose from its events, effective January 1. Pharmaceutical companies attempting to raise product awareness commonly offer swag such as pens, notebooks, and stress balls at their meetings. The ban came as result of PhRMA's concerns that doctors who receive these items will then make an emotional connection between the item and the drug advertised, thereby calling into question the doctors' true motivation for recommending the drug-was it the gifts or was it the drug's effectiveness?

"It has the look of an unprofessional relationship," said Billy Tauzin, president and C.E.O. of PhRMA. "Removing that look is important."