<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>limiting interaction – Policy & Medicine</title> <atom:link href="https://www.policymed.com/tag/limiting-interaction/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.policymed.com</link> <description>Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Issues</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 04 May 2018 17:48:53 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cropped-favicon-32x32.png</url> <title>limiting interaction – Policy & Medicine</title> <link>https://www.policymed.com</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Connecticut Debates Bill to Limit Physician Industry Interaction</title> <link>https://www.policymed.com/2010/03/connecticut-debates-bill-to-limit-physician-industry-interaction.html</link> <comments>https://www.policymed.com/2010/03/connecticut-debates-bill-to-limit-physician-industry-interaction.html#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Sullivan]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:28:34 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[State Policy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Connecticut Legislature]]></category> <category><![CDATA[gag order]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gift Ban]]></category> <category><![CDATA[limiting interaction]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NEW]]></category> <category><![CDATA[prohibition]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.policymed.com/connecticut-debates-bill-to-limit-physician-industry-interaction/</guid> <description><![CDATA[<div style="margin-bottom:20px;"><img width="300" height="400" src="https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/general-assembly.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/general-assembly.jpg 300w, https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/general-assembly-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></div>During testimony last week at a Public Health Committee hearing for the Connecticut General Assembly, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal urged legislation requiring strict limits and disclosure of gifts from drug makers to doctors that may influence health care decisions. His proposal was made during testimony alongside Connecticut Center for Patient Safety Executive Director Jean […]]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="margin-bottom:20px;"><img width="300" height="400" src="https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/general-assembly.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/general-assembly.jpg 300w, https://www.policymed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/general-assembly-225x300.jpg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></div><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">During <a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocTmyBillAllComm.asp?bill=SB-00270&doc_year=2010"><span style="color: #800080;">testimony last week at a Public Health Committee</span></a> hearing for the Connecticut General Assembly, Connecticut </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/PHdata/Tmy/2010SB-00270-R000301-Richard%20Blumenthal,%20Attorney%20General,%20Speaking-TMY.PDF"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Attorney General Richard Blumenthal</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> urged legislation requiring strict limits and disclosure of gifts from drug makers to doctors that may influence health care decisions. His proposal was made during testimony alongside Connecticut Center for Patient Safety Executive Director Jean Rexford and others familiar with drug company sales policies. The proposed legislation, </span><a href="http://cga.ct.gov/2010/TOB/s/pdf/2010SB-00270-R00-SB.pdf"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">S270</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">, includes requirements that drug and device makers:</span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">– </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Adopt a code of conduct, along with training and monitoring to ensure compliance with the Code; <span style="mso-tab-count: 12;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">– </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Annually report all authorized payments or other gifts provided to health care providers that are individually in excess of $50 (disclosure extends for not less than two years following the date of the termination of any speaker or consultant arrangement);<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span> </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">– </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Prohibit direct payments or other compensation to health care providers, unless in exchange for a bona fide service (e.g. research; participation on advisory boards; collaboration with nonprofit organizations; and presentations at pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing company-sponsored medical education and training);<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">– </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">May not provide or pay for meals for health care providers that are (1) part of an entertainment or recreational event; (2) offered without an informational presentation made by a pharmaceutical or medical device marketing agent or without such an agent being present; (3) offered, consumed or provided outside of the health care provider’s office or a hospital setting; or (4) provided to a healthcare provider’s spouse or other guest. Otherwise, meals must be “modest.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The legislation also puts restrictions on financial supports from companies for the costs of travel, lodging or other personal expenses of nonfaculty health care providers attending any continuing medical education event, third-party scientific or educational conference or professional meetings, either directly to the individuals participating in the event or indirectly to the event’s sponsor. Companies also cannot compensate for:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">–</span> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The time spent by health care providers participating in any continuing medical education event, third-party scientific or educational conferences or professional meetings; </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">–</span> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Payment for meals directly to a health care provider at any continuing medical education event, third-party scientific or educational conferences or professional meetings, except that a continuing medical education provider or conference or meeting organizer may, at its own discretion, apply any financial support provided by a pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing company for the event to provide meals for all participants; and</span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">–</span> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sponsorship or payment for continuing medical education or independent medical education, that does not meet the Standards for Commercial Support as established by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education or equivalent commercial support standards of the relevant continuing education accrediting body, or provides payment directly to a health care provider.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The bill also prohibits companies from providing entertainment or recreational items of any value (e.g. tickets to sporting events or theater), and: </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">–</span> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Payments of any kind, including cash or cash equivalents, equity, in kind or tangible items, including any complimentary items such as pens, coffee mugs or gift cards to health care providers either directly or indirectly, except as compensation for bona fide services; and</span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -13.5pt; line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">–</span> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Any grants, scholarships, subsidies, supports, consulting contracts or educational or practice related items in exchange for prescribing, disbursing or using prescription drugs, biologics or medical devices or for a commitment to continue prescribing, disbursing or using prescription drugs, biologics or medical devices; </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With regards to CME, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company must separate its CME grant-making functions from its sales and marketing departments, and the company cannot provide any advice or guidance to the continuing medical education provider regarding the content or faculty for a particular continuing medical education program funded by the company.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The bill does not prohibit compensation or reimbursement made to a health care provider serving as a speaker or providing services as a faculty organizer or academic program consultant for a CME however, the bill outlines specific conditions for such compensation. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Discussion</span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While many manufacturers have already started to disclose payments (e.g. </span></span><a href="http://www.policymed.com/2009/08/physician-payment-sunshine-eli-lilly-post-payments-to-health-care-professionals.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eli Lily</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.policymed.com/2009/10/physician-payment-sunshine-merck-second-pharmaceutical-company-to-disclose-payments-to-physicians.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Merck</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.policymed.com/2009/03/physician-payment-sunshine-gsk-expands-to-research-and-global-transparency.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">GlaxoSmithKline</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">, and </span></span><a href="http://www.policymed.com/2009/02/physician-payment-sunshine-pfizer-to-disclose-physician-payments.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pfizer</span></span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">), and PhRMA has adopted a code of conduct that is covered by most of the recommendations including tickets to sporting events, this has not discouraged critics from introducing bills similar to the Massachusetts law.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This is the second time Mr. Blumenthal has introduced this le</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">gislation in the last two years. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Violations of this bill result in a civil fine of not more than five thousand dollars per occurrence. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">In his </span><a href="http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?Q=456322&A=3869"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="color: #800080;">statement</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">, Mr. Blumenthal asserted that “health care providers and pharmaceutical companies should interact and exchange ideas and experiences – but in the sunshine of transparency and disclosure.” His ongoing concern is based on the claim that drug companies are focused “relentlessly on practitioners, seeking enhanced sales and profits.” Despite this claim, he acknowledged the fact that “certain pharmaceutical drug companies are taking steps toward self-reform” (as noted above). Mr. Blumenthal however feels such efforts are not enough to “break an industry attraction.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">As a result, he advocated the need for “a state law readily enforceable by state agencies that would protect the physician-patient relationship from drug company influence.” Companies such as </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/PHdata/Tmy/2010SB-00270-R000301-Boehringer%20Ingelheim%20%28Non-Speaking%29-TMY.PDF"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Boehringer Ingelheim</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> and </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/PHdata/Tmy/2010SB-00270-R000301-Dr.%20Michael%20Tarnoff,%20Associate%20Professor%20of%20Surgery%20Tufts%20Medical%20Center,%20Speaking-TMY.PDF"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="color: #800080;">Covidien</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> issued statements in opposition to the legislation. A full list of testimony can be found </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocTmyBillAllComm.asp?bill=SB-00270&doc_year=2010"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="color: #800080;">here.</span></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-no-proof: yes;">Also submitting a statement in opposition to the bill was </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/PHdata/Tmy/2010SB-00270-R000301-Pharmaceutical%20Research%20and%20Manufacturers%20of%20America,%20Speaking-TMY.PDF"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #800080;">PhRMA</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-no-proof: yes;">, who noted that “implementing such a proposal could have a chilling effect on relationships between biopharmaceutical companies and health care providers, relationships that improve pateints’ lives.” PhRMA asserted that restricting “these interactions and requiring disclosure of certain payments to healthcare providers could chill research and development as well as patient access to clinical trials.” The organization pointed out that the legislation will hurt a significant portion of jobs and the economy in Connecticut. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Many in the food industry including several </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocTmyBillAllComm.asp?bill=SB-00270&doc_year=2010"><span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial;">resturants</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">, the </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/PHdata/Tmy/2010SB-00270-R000301-Connecticut%20Restaurant%20Association%20(Non-Speaking)-TMY.PDF"><span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial;">Connecticut Resturant Association</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">, and the </span><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/PHdata/Tmy/2010SB-00270-R000301-Jonathan%20Jennings,%20Vice%20President%20of%20the%20Connecticut%20Caterers%20Association,%20Speaking-TMY.PDF"><span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial;">Connecticut Caterers Association </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">testified against the proposed legistation also largely on the issue loss of jobs for the state and the proposals intention to hurt the local economy.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-no-proof: yes;">Ultimately, because the bill could prevent companies from providing grants to physicians, which would also prevent physicians from conducting small initial studies that improve medical practice for patients, the legislation should be opposed. Moreover, as many testified and submitted, since the proposed legislation is </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">burdensome, duplicative, over-reaching and will significantly and negatively impact business, a new approach for disclosure and transparency is needed. In fact, current industry code of ethics and federal legislation already provide a “robust” ethical framework for the drug and device industry, making state laws repetitive. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In the end, legislators need to find a method that does not create less interaction with health care providers, and less opportunity for these providers to obtain valuable education on new treatments because this will hurt patients and the training of physicians. Connecticut and other states considering such laws need to create legislation that maximizes the opportunity for physicians to work with industry so that healthcare providers, and in turn patients, do not lose out on important safety information and medical advancements. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CommDocTmyBillAllComm.asp?bill=SB-00270&doc_year=2010"><span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial;">Links to Testimony</span></a></span></p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.policymed.com/2010/03/connecticut-debates-bill-to-limit-physician-industry-interaction.html/feed</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>