Healthcare workers taking money from drug companies

A recent report by ProPublica shines a light on the continuing problem of doctors being paid by pharmaceutical companies to help promote their products.  ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. Their latest investigation reveals that more than 17,000 doctors and other healthcare professionals accepted nearly $258 million from seven major drug companies in 2009 and 2010.

We continue to blog on this topic because this unethical behavior is so appalling and the public needs to be aware of what goes on behind the scenes with some healthcare workers and drug and medical device companies.

Here is an excerpt from the ProPublica report:

ProPublica created a comprehensive database  that represents the most accessible accounting yet of payments to doctors. Compiled from disclosures by seven companies, the database covers $257.8 million in payouts since 2009 for speaking, consulting and other duties. In addition to Lilly and Cephalon, the companies include AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co. and Pfizer.

Although these companies have posted payments on their websites — some as a result of legal settlements — they make it difficult to spot trends or even learn who has earned the most. ProPublica combined the data and identified the highest-paid doctors, then checked their credentials and disciplinary records.

That is something not all companies do.

A review of physician licensing records in the 15 most-populous states and three others found sanctions against more than 250 speakers, including some of the highest paid. Their misconduct included inappropriately prescribing drugs, providing poor care or having sex with patients. Some of the doctors had even lost their licenses.

Unfortunately this is an issue that has been going on for years and unless it is made illegal and enforced as such, it will continue. We also need to address physician compensation. Notice how many primary care doctors and psychiatrists are in the database compiled by ProPublica. Since these doctors tend to be on the low end of the income scale for physicians, it becomes very attractive to them to supplement their income. Medicare reimbursement rates need to reflect a better balance in compensation for primary care physicians and others.

But it is not just doctors who are receiving funds from these companies. The report goes on to say:

All told, 384 of the approximately 17,700 individuals in ProPublica’s database earned more than $100,000 for their promotional and consulting work on behalf of one or more of the seven companies in 2009 and 2010. Nearly all were physicians, but a handful of pharmacists, nurse practitioners and dietitians also made the list.

Regulations surrounding promotional and consulting work need to address the activity of all caregivers so that anyone who may be influenced by a supplier is held accountable for unethical behavior.

Don Ammon blogs regularly at Action for Better Healthcare.