ACCME Proposal Could Limit Involvement of Drug and Device Companies in Medical Education

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has drafted new standards that would further restrict the involvement of commercial sponsors – including pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers – in planning and delivering continuing medical education. The proposed standards, for example, would prohibit commercial sponsors from participation in certain CME activities in situations where the prior standards would have required only disclosure of the relationship. Twelve CME providers accredited by the ACCME are affiliated with manufacturers of FDA-regulated products. The draft standards are open for comment until March 15, 2003.