Groups Question Industry-Paid Doctors

[Bossy Monkey]

Oct 16, 9:58 PM EDT

Groups Question Industry-Paid Doctors

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE
AP Medical Writer

They led influential medical groups, starred at prestigious meetings, published in top journals and were undisputed giants in their field. But when these famous doctors advised the government recently on new cholesterol guidelines for the public, something else they had in common wasn't revealed.

Eight of the nine were making money from the very companies whose cholesterol-lowering drugs they were urging upon millions more Americans. Two own stock in them. Two others went to work for drug companies shortly after working on the guidelines. Another was a senior government scientist who moonlights for 10 companies and even serves on one of their boards.

Consumer groups and others now are questioning not only the advice these doctors gave but also their fundamental ability to act in the public's best interest.

It comes as some of these companies lobby the government to let drugs at the center of this controversy - statins such as Lipitor and Zocor - be sold over the counter. Prominent doctors with ties to statin makers are urging approval.

(more)

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONFLICTED_MEDICINE?SITE=SCCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. One of my docs (that I represent) was on one of those

It literally made his heart explode. He died instantly and unexpectedly.

[UpInArms]

2. without independence, there can be no truth

because there is no honor among thieves.

These people are motivated only by money - anything ethical and humane has abandoned them.

They have joined the legions of scum-sucking parasites that feed on the dead and dying.

[Thurston Howell IV]

3. Medicine has been corrupted

Doctors are like gazelles in the crosshairs of the pharmaceutical industry. They're well-paid pawns. The whole thing has been corrupted from beginning (the "science" behind drug research) to end (the decision on prescriptions that docs write for us). I've been following this for about 6 years now, and every week or so another news article detailing the corruption is printed.

This corruption is one of the key elements behind the cost of healthcare -- but discussion of corruption is apparently off-limits in the political realm.

Thanks for posting this -- I'll add it to my collection.