Pfizer to Reveal Sizable Payments to Doctors

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/business/10drug.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Pfizer to Reveal Sizable Payments to Doctors

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 9, 2009


TRENTON (AP) — Pfizer, the drug maker, said Monday that it would begin disclosing all sizable payments it makes to doctors, including those who test experimental drugs in people.

The disclosures would begin early next year and are planned to include all payments exceeding $500 in a year to medical personnel who prescribe drugs, the company said.

Legislation was introduced last month to require such disclosures, after revelations of astronomical payments to some doctors that had not been disclosed to universities and hospitals that employed them.

The initiative will also include payments to universities and research sites involved in clinical research, and will cover nonfinancial gifts like meals, travel expenses, textbooks and anatomical models.

Consumer groups, politicians and others have increasingly criticized industry payments to doctors who promote a particular drug brand to colleagues, provide consulting services to drug makers or work on human tests of experimental drugs, but do not disclose that they are receiving tens of thousands of dollars for those services.

[williesgirl]

1. Why wait til next year. It's Feb for God's sake. DO IT NOW. rec'd

[babylonsister]

3. Agree totally. This gives them a year to cook the books. nt

[Xipe Totec]

2. Retroactive to when?

No, I didn't think so... :eys:


"We have never bribed any doctors, and I assure you, we will never bribe them again."
- Pfizer

[spanone]

4. no surprise, how often do we sit in the waiting room after a drug rep walks in...???/

and calls all the staff by name....goes right in the back room, where you should have been 15 minutes earlier

[aquart]

5. I thought Ted Kennedy stopped that crap.