HSCA today urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to release the final regulations for the implementation of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act.
“The group purchasing industry is the most transparent sector in healthcare, and we have a longstanding commitment to promoting openness, accountability and the highest ethical standards in business practices, including our support of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act,” said HSCA President Curtis Rooney. “We are now fifteen months past the statutory deadline for this vital regulation, the sooner the healthcare supply chain realizes full implementation of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act’s provisions, the sooner patients will realize the benefits.”
The sunshine law requires manufacturers to report all payments to physicians, including consulting fees, honoraria, and travel and entertainment expenses. The law also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly disclose on the Internet the identity of the manufacturer, physician, and the drug or device associated with the payment. Additionally, the law requires manufacturers and GPOs to report all ownership or investment interests held by physicians or members of their family, and to make that information public.
HSCA and its group purchasing organization (GPO) members have consistently supported the efforts of Senator Grassley (R-IA), former Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and others to increase transparency through the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, and now join a growing chorus of voices calling for swift implementation of the act.
