THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 Page 23 BHRC | FROM PAGE 22 implementation, for further requirements to ensure marketing activities by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers do not influence prescribing patterns in a manner that adversely affects patient care; and requiring the licensing of all pharmaceutical and medical device representatives. “We license hairstylists to protect the safety and wellbeing of consumers so there really isn’t a legitimate argument against the licensing of pharmaceutical and medical device sales reps marketing life-saving devices and powerful drugs, including opioids,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Besford) who also had sponsored the first gift ban and licensing bill in 2006. “The corruption of the sacred doctor-patient relationship by the pharmaceutical industry by schmoozing at fancy restaurants is exactly the consequence that the original gift ban law was intended to prevent. Such dinners contribute to the illegitimate relationship between some physicians and [the] industry that can make some doctors feel obliged to prescribe high-cost brand name drugs, even when a cheaper alternative may be more appropriate.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of February 7-11, the House met for a total of six hours and 26 minutes and the Senate met for a total of four hours and 11 minutes. Mon. Feb. 7 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:24 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:26 a.m. Tues. Feb. 8 No House session No Senate session Wed. Feb. 9 House 11:03 a.m. to 12:13 p.m., No Senate session Thurs. Feb. 10 House 11:00 a.m. to 3:54 p.m. Senate 11:42 a.m. to 3:36 p.m. Fri. Feb. 11 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall. com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019.
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