PhRMA position on sampling

Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America board agrees July 14 to policy language recommended by PhRMA's key issue team on sampling, essentially putting off any formal change in policy until next year in deference to continuing disagreement within the association and the KIT regarding a sampling ban. The adopted language states that "PhRMA should acknowledge that its existing position on sampling legislation [i.e., opposition to any ban] may not be up to date and should be thoroughly reviewed in consideration of recent legislative and regulatory proposals." The KIT "will continue, during the next few months, to analyze the issues and develop relevant legislative options," and the PhRMA board "will review the options developed by the KIT and adopt a new PhRMA policy at the February 1995 strategic planning meeting." PhRMA will continue its current opposition to a ban while it reviews policy options. "The Pink Sheet" incorrectly reported July 11 (p. 3) that the language calls for PhRMA to formally lift its opposition for this year