Stanford University’s Medical Center said Tuesday it approved a policy banning gifts, including drug samples, from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The policy, which goes into effect Oct. 1, is intended to limit the influence of pharmaceutical and biomedical manufacturers on patient care.

“We do not want industry dollars to have the potential to influence how we train people or give clinical care, and I think this document sets out ways of minimizing this potential,” said Dr. Harry Greenberg, professor of medicine and chair of the 23-member School of Medicine task force that developed the policy.

The policy prohibits physicians from accepting any gifts from the pharmaceutical industry on the medical center campus and at off-site locations where they might practice. It also bans industry representatives from patient care areas and medical school facilities. Industry’s financial support of educational activities is allowed only under strict conditions.