An investigation has found hundreds of physicians receiving payment from drug companies have been accused of professional misconduct, were disciplined by state boards or lacked credentials as researchers, according to a ProPublica report.
The investigation, conducted by ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, found sanctions against more than 250 drug company experts, including some of the highest paid.
Drug companies hire physicians in their field to act as promotional speakers or experts, teaching their peers about brand-name and recommending them for prescription. The drug companies involved in the investigation include Lilly, Cephalon, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co. and Pfizer.
Experts' misconduct included inappropriately prescribing drugs, providing poor care or having sex with patients. Additionally, more than 40 have received FDA warnings for research misconduct, lost hospital privileges or been convicted of crimes. At least 20 more have had two or more malpractice judgments or settlements.
Of approximately 17,700 individuals in ProPublica’s database, 384 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.
Read the ProPublic report on physicians with blemished records working for drug companies.
Read more about physician relationships with drug companies and device makers:
-Minnesota, New York Propose Bans on Industry Gifts
-University of Wisconsin-Madison Proposes New Conflict-of-Interest Rules
-Minnesota Bill Would Require Medical Device Manufacturers to Report Physician Payments and Gifts
The investigation, conducted by ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, found sanctions against more than 250 drug company experts, including some of the highest paid.
Drug companies hire physicians in their field to act as promotional speakers or experts, teaching their peers about brand-name and recommending them for prescription. The drug companies involved in the investigation include Lilly, Cephalon, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co. and Pfizer.
Experts' misconduct included inappropriately prescribing drugs, providing poor care or having sex with patients. Additionally, more than 40 have received FDA warnings for research misconduct, lost hospital privileges or been convicted of crimes. At least 20 more have had two or more malpractice judgments or settlements.
Of approximately 17,700 individuals in ProPublica’s database, 384 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.
Read the ProPublic report on physicians with blemished records working for drug companies.
Read more about physician relationships with drug companies and device makers:
-Minnesota, New York Propose Bans on Industry Gifts
-University of Wisconsin-Madison Proposes New Conflict-of-Interest Rules
-Minnesota Bill Would Require Medical Device Manufacturers to Report Physician Payments and Gifts