White Guide and Orange Guide Formatting Project - Pfizer

Orange Guide – Chapter 17: State Laws: HCP and State Employee Restrictions
Consulting Engagements with MN HCPs
Effective September 1, 2011, Pfizer policy prohibits engaging MN licensed practitioners as consultants
except with respect to the following types of projects:
R&D, clinical or development related projects;
Outcomes Research;
Medical publications; and
Speaking and speaker training.
Engaging MN practitioners as consultants for any other purposes is prohibited without prior Legal
approval.
Definition of Practitioner
A “healthcare practitioner” is essentially anyone who is able to prescribe a prescription drug in Minnesota
regardless of whether the practitioner actively prescribes. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician
assistants, dentists, optometrists and veterinarians are all included in the definition of practitioner in
Minnesota. Pharmacists, however, are not included in the definition of practitioner and are therefore
not covered by the law.
You should treat any Minnesota healthcare practitioner as if they are subject to the Minnesota gift law
regardless of the state in which the practitioner works or where the practitioner is geographically located.
For example, if a Minnesota-based practitioner is attending a speaker program in another state, the
Minnesota state gift law still applies. If a physician who lives and practices in Florida is dual licensed in
Minnesota, the Minnesota gift law is deemed to apply. Therefore, meals cannot be provided to any
Minnesota-licensed practitioner, regardless of his or her location.
How the Law Impacts Your Activities
All colleagues are prohibited from providing meals to Minnesota-licensed practitioners, unless the
meal is provided as a reasonable expense to a practitioner in connection with serving on the faculty
at a Pfizer professional or educational conference or meeting, or performing bona fide services
274
Rev. 09/12
Page 28 of 38