Healthy Skepticism Library item: 16953

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Electronic Source

Silverman E
Glaxo Publishes List Of Fees Paid To Doctors
Pharmalot 2009 Dec 14
http://www.pharmalot.com/2009/12/glaxo-publishes-list-of-fees-paid-to-doctors/

Full text:

Yet another drugmaker is uttering the ‘T’ word – transparency. This time around, GlaxoSmithKline has published a list of fees paid between April 1 and June 30 to US healthcare professionals for speaking and consulting services. The drugmaker plans to update the list quarterly, although there was no word on disclosing this info for previous periods (see if you can find anyone you know on the list).
By its own tally, Glaxo paid $14.6 million to approximately 3,700 US docs and other healthcare professionals during those six months for speaking or consulting services. And the average amount spent per healthcare professional in the report was $3,909. Take a look and tell us what else you would like to see disclosed.
In recent months, Merck and Lilly have taken similar steps (see here and here). These moves come amid growing controversy over the influence such payments may have over medical treatment. The Physician Sunshine Payment Act, which is included in the health care reform bill before Congress, requires drug and device makers to publicly reveal payments to docs.