GlaxoSmithKline recently joined Pfizer in changing its continuing medical education granting process to eliminate medical education and communication companies as prospective grantees. In a press release on September 21, the company said that, beginning in 2010, it will be implementing new standards for its CME granting process that “will raise the bar and fund only independent medical education programs that are clearly designed to close gaps in patient care, and that demonstrate support for the optimal performance of healthcare professionals.”

Here are the details on GSK's announcement.

Approximately 30 percent of presenters, committee members, and board members attending a 2008 medical association meeting did not disclose payments received from device manufacturers as required by the association, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more.

When asked about the fallout of the Massachusetts Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturer Code of Conduct, which went into effect in July for medical meetings in Massachusetts, Pat Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau, had a story to tell. About ducks.

Read on.

Here is some of what’s been happening on the Capsules blog this month. Stay tuned for more updates!

Let’s Get Political

Trusted Evidence Sources

Data Mining to Detect Domestic Violence

Google’s Sidewiki: Not Good for Pharma?

Speakers Bureaus Getting Heat in Boston

Do We Need a Standard Approach to PI CME?