Dollars for Docs

 It's common knowledge that pharmaceutical companies pay large amounts to physicians whom participate and are trained to lecture on their specific products in a non-biased format.  All this information is available to public now via the Sunshine Act.   It was just released through journalism group ProPublica, that 22 physicians have received over $500,000 since 2009 based on speaking and consulting feeds.  This is an annual report by ProPublica called "Dollars for Docs"  which has revealed one major trend: Psychiatrists were most commonly listed, with the top 5 all working in psychiatry. The top paid doctor is Jon Draud, MD, who is a medical director at of a psychiatric and addiction medicine program in Tennessee.  According to the article, Dr. Draud has received a total of $1,009,213 from AstraZeneca, Cephalon, Lilly, Forest, Merck, Novartis, and Pfizer- all the major players in CNS.

This is an issue that you either side with or are against; typically, if you are an academic you disagree.  It's perfectly legal for physicians to consult or speak for pharmaceutical companies.  I think the hope is that their is honest communication and clear, set guidleines, so there is no confusion in what each parties intent is for the agreement.  Pharmaceutical companies utilize thought leaders, because they are typically innovative in their medical approach and not afraid to try new products, if the data and mechanism of action warrants it, of course!  But of course there is that underlying question whether they are only using the product (or as much of the product) because they are being paid.

To read more, check out this article on medscape.
Dollars for Docs