Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17652

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Publication type: news

Kuber S
UPDATE 1-GSK's Japan unit to disclose payments to doctors-Nikkei
Reuters 2010 Apr 17
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE63F0JS20100416

Abstract:

The Japan-based unit of British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc has decided to disclose the payments it makes to doctors and research institutions starting this fiscal year, the Nikkei business daily said.

Full text:

This move, the first in Japan, comes amid a growing global trend among drugmakers to divulge this information, the paper said.

GlaxoSmithKline KK plans to begin by posting only the total amount and number of payments on its website, and gradually identify recipients with their permission, the paper said.

The disclosures will be announced by June.

The company said it contacted about 450 doctors since February, and about 60 percent of them have given their consent, Nikkei said.

Outside Japan, GlaxoSmithKline began disclosing payment totals at the end of last year.