Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray is finding unique ways to cut health care costs and banning pharmaceutical gifts in the state could be one of them. The senate proposed a bill to the floor as part of a larger bill to continue efforts in developing a state-wide electronic medical system.

The proposed ban suggests that any gift should not be of substantial value. A gift given in this industry should completely benefit a patient. This proposed ban encompasses physicians, staff and family members and if passed would be the first of its kind in the country. This is not good news for the promotional products industry.

Pharmaceutical companies are the largest users of promotional products and a ban could be detrimental for this industry, depending on how strict the rules are. Promotional gifts are the most popular branding strategy. This could mean that pharmaceutical companies will need to shift branding strategies and rely on other techniques.

The good news is that it can take years for a bill to pass, if it passes at all. Hopefully, this will turn into a national trend.