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Final Program


Schedule at a Glance
Legend
Program: Scientific Session
General Topic: Business of Rheumatology

Pharmaceutical Industry: Friend or Foe?

Monday, October 27, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Central Time

    Moderator(s)

  • AD

    Achini Dingman, MD

    Treasure Valley Rheumatology; Self Employed
    Boise, Idaho, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Session Coordinator(s)

  • AD

    Achini Dingman, MD

    Treasure Valley Rheumatology; Self Employed
    Boise, Idaho, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

Rheumatologists regularly prescribe novel, often costly medications developed by pharmaceutical companies. Likewise, our patients benefit from drug access programs offered by the pharmaceutical companies. While such medications can undoubtedly change the lives of our patients, conflicts of interest need to be considered, real or perceived. Practicing rheumatologists often serve as consultants to the pharmaceutical industry and advertise their products.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the types and goals of pharmaceutical representatives who will reach out to practicing rheumatologists
  • Identify ethical considerations when interacting with the pharmaceutical Industry
  • Illustrate the reporting requirements to NIH and the Sunshine Act when interacting with industry

Presentations:

  • 1:00 PM – 1:20 PM Central Time
    Where Should It End?: Ethical Considerations of Interactions with Industry

    Speaker: Steven Vlad, MD, PhD – Tufts Medicine

  • 1:20 PM – 1:40 PM Central Time
    What's the Angle?: Types and Goals of Different Industry Roles and Let the Sunshine In: Regulatory Aspects of Interactions with Industry

    Speaker: Theresa DiGuglielmo, JD – Frier Levitt�s Healthcare Department

  • 1:40 PM – 2:00 PM Central Time
    Panel Discussion

    Panelist: Steven Vlad, MD, PhD – Tufts Medicine

    Panelist: Theresa DiGuglielmo, JD – Frier Levitt�s Healthcare Department