Maine is one step closer to passing a law that would curtail gifts, speaking and consulting fees and expensive meals to physicians from pharmaceutical companies, according to the Press Herald.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Scott Hamann, D, aims to ensure physicians don't have conflicting interest when prescribing drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. Maine experienced an all-time high in the number of drug overdose deaths in 2016, with 376 reported. That's 40 percent higher than in 2015.
"At this point, everyone acknowledges that addiction often starts from overprescribing," Mr. Hamann said, according to the report. "Overprescribing of opioids is a real problem in this state. When a patient goes to the doctor's office, they should be confident that the doctor only has the patient's best interests in mind, and not any outside influences."
Mr. Hamann's bill would prohibit all cash gifts and any gifts where "reciprocity is expected or implied," according to the report. It would only allow noncash gifts of "minimal value."
The bill was approved by the state legislature and now awaits Republican Gov. Paul LePage's signature.