New Standards for Continuing Medical Education Dinners Funded by Drug Manufacturers

The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada have announced a new national standard for Continuing Medical Education (CME) events required of physicians to keep their licences in good standing.

The new rules create additional oversight of CME and are particularly directed at minimizing conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry. The new standard requires that all individuals and entities involved in the CME event disclose any financial ties to drug manufacturers they have had over the last two years. This would include the planning committee, parties who have had input in the speaker presentation, and any speakers.

The new standard is available here.