HMCC Speaker Bureau & Educational Programs 3

Question 1

What is the primary objective of conducting periodic audits of a company's speaker bureau program?

Accepted Answer

To verify that programs comply with applicable laws, industry codes, and company policies and to detect and remediate compliance gaps

Answer

To identify which speakers generate the highest product sales

Answer

To determine which geographic markets need additional speaker programs scheduled

Answer

To assess the entertainment quality provided at speaker events

Question 2

Under the Open Payments program, by what date must manufacturers submit covered recipient payment reports for the prior calendar year?

Accepted Answer

March 31 of the following year

Answer

January 31 of the following year

Answer

June 30 of the following year

Answer

December 31 of the same year

Question 3

Which element is MOST critical to include in a speaker contract to support compliance?

Accepted Answer

Representations and warranties that the speaker will comply with company policies, applicable laws, and industry codes

Answer

A clause guaranteeing the speaker a minimum number of programs per year

Answer

A non-compete provision preventing the speaker from working with any competitor

Answer

A bonus structure tied to attendee prescription behavior

Question 4

When is it appropriate to hold a company-sponsored speaker program at a resort or golf course facility?

Accepted Answer

When the resort is the only available venue in a rural area and the recreational facilities are not used

Answer

When the speaker requests it as part of their compensation negotiation

Answer

Whenever the total program budget allows for premium venues

Answer

It is never appropriate under any circumstances under PhRMA guidelines

Question 5

How do state transparency laws interact with federal Open Payments requirements for speaker program reporting?

Accepted Answer

State laws may impose additional or more stringent reporting requirements that exist independently of federal Open Payments obligations

Answer

Federal Open Payments reporting satisfies all state reporting obligations automatically

Answer

State laws apply only to device companies, while federal law applies only to pharmaceutical companies

Answer

Companies must choose between reporting to CMS or to the state, but not both

Question 6

A compliance officer is designing speaker qualification criteria. Which factor would be INAPPROPRIATE to include as a qualification criterion?

Accepted Answer

Historical prescribing volume for the company's product

Answer

Board certification or subspecialty training relevant to the program topic

Answer

Publication history and peer-reviewed research in the relevant therapeutic area

Answer

Teaching faculty appointment at an accredited medical institution

Question 7

What distinguishes a company-sponsored speaker program from an independent continuing medical education (CME) activity for compliance purposes?

Accepted Answer

Company-sponsored programs are controlled by the manufacturer and subject to promotional regulations, while accredited CME is independent and governed by ACCME standards

Answer

CME activities always require physician attendees while speaker programs do not

Answer

Speaker programs are tax-deductible while CME activities are not

Answer

CME activities cannot discuss branded products under any circumstances