On December 22, 2017, after vigorous public hearings and comments, New Jersey adopted new rules limiting pharmaceutical manufacturer payments to prescribers to $10,000 per year and imposing a $15 meal cap. The law goes into effect January 15, 2018.

Governor Christie first proposed the rule on International Opioid Overdose Awareness Day in July, stating in a press release:

While the vast majority of doctors care for their patients honorably and professionally, their education about many of the drugs they are prescribing comes too often from pharmaceutical sales people, who may not always provide an objective analysis of the human and social impacts the drugs may have. This rule will help us address any concerns about whether treatment decisions of prescribers are being improperly influenced.

In contrast to other state laws limiting spend on healthcare professionals, the New Jersey law is aimed at prescribers, rather than manufacturers, and makes licensure contingent on compliance with the law.

Life Law Partners provides advice and counsel on matters relating to state and federal Aggregate Spend reporting and spend limits. For more information, click here to reach our contact page or call us now at+1 858.546.4732.