MRA Seeks Support in Pharma Battle

In the US, the MRA (Marketing Research Association) has urged all researchers to sign a petition to fight new regulations which require the public reporting of payments to respondents involved in research conducted by pharma firms and medical device manufacturers.

The Massachusetts Public Health Council's new regulations (the Marketing Code of Conduct), will make practitioners less likely to participate in 'vital survey research', says the MRA. The association also claims that reduced participation will lead to less research performed in the state, resulting in significant loss of jobs and income.

MRA will be working with volunteers to change the regulations and is seeking support from other research associations and potential allies.

According to LaToya Lang, MRA's State Legislative Director: 'It is vital that you get involved today to protect your profession and your business. Even if you don't live in Massachusetts, you can ask your employees, co-workers, colleagues, friends and family that do live there to take action.'

Recently, the MRA helped overturn similar proposed legislation in Maryland, Rhode Island and Mississippi.

The petition can be found on the MRA web site: www.mra-net.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.