Summary of University of California Health Care Vendor Relations Policy
Effective January 23, 2023
The University of California has implemented this policy in order to prevent certain health care vendor activities, such as provision of gifts, even of nominal value, that may affect provider behavior and give the appearance of favoritism. In addition, gifts from vendors may violate federal Anti-Kickback Statute and similar California law. This policy is intended to reduce the influence of health care vendors on decisions made by University of California health care professionals.
Applicability: The policy applies to Health Care Individuals who are defined as “those members of the UC community who work, train or are students at health care locations or in health professional schools.” A Health Care Vendor is “a company or its representative or agent of a company that either produces or markets drugs, devices, nutritional products or other medical products or services”.
Summary of Policy:
- Gifts from Health Care Vendors to a Health Care Individual are prohibited. This includes free or discounted items, medical samples for personal use, food, or travel when the Health Care Individual is not providing a service of similar or greater value to the Health Care Vendor. For example: pens, notepads, free textbooks, free meals, payment to attend a meeting and product samples are all considered gifts. Items provided at a discount or free as part of a research project are exempt. In addition, a Health Care Individual may accept items from a Health Care Vendor if the item is provided to all attendees at a professional meeting being conducted under national continuing education accreditation body guidelines.
- Allowed are donations from Health Care Vendors to a unit of the University (e.g. SSPPS) in support of the mission of the University. The University may then use the donation to support meetings, food, travel, etc. Such funds must be managed in accordance with University policy and in accordance with conflict of interest standards for national continuing education accrediting bodies even if the meeting is not accredited.
- Health Care Vendors may donate free samples, vouchers, supplies or equipment to a unit of the University (e.g. SSPPS) in support of evaluation or educational activities. The amount must be limited to the amount necessary for evaluation or educational purposes and not intended to stock the University for patient-care purposes. Exception is provided for donations to university-sanctioned free medical clinics providing care to low income and indigent patients.
- If there are questions, the full text of the policy may be accessed at https://blink.ucsd.edu/_files/coi/healthcare/Health_Care_Vendor_Relations_ Policy_07_08.pdf. In addition, questions may be addressed to the SSPPS Office of Student Affairs.