Medtronic representatives are being accused of unethically persuading physicians to use its devices in procedures even when not medically necessary — something that research shows can be harmful to patients.
Currently, the allegations center around clogged artery procedures that took place at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. An investigation by ProPublica uncovered text messages between two Medtronic representatives advocating for one physician's increased device use.
Now, Kansas' U.S. senators are also asking questions and demanding answers from the VA facility, ProPublica reported Feb. 18.
In a Feb. 16 letter obtained by ProPublica, Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, MD, explicitly ask the hospital to provide a detailed timeline of the VA's knowledge of the issue and response to the incidents in addition to requesting that it "act swiftly to contact every veteran who was seen at the catheterization lab during the time in question, inform them of the steps VA has taken to assess the quality of the care they received there, and provide them with contact information for appropriate officials who can answer any questions or concerns they might have."
According to ProPublica, "between 2011 and 2018, VA health care workers received steakhouse dinners, Apple electronics and NASCAR tickets and in turn, Medtronic secured a lucrative contract with the hospital" the article reads. "Meanwhile, the company's representatives allegedly 'groomed and trained' physicians at the facility, who then deployed the company's devices even when it was not medically indicated."
Boua Xiong, a spokesperson for Medtronic, told Becker's, "These allegations are false and Medtronic is defending against these claims in court. As the case is ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time."
A statement the VA shared with ProPublica says,"While we are unable to comment on the specifics of pending litigation, patient safety is our top priority at VA — and as a steward of taxpayer funds, VA takes seriously its responsibility to protect against fraud, waste, and abuse," and additionally adds that the organization "is conducting an extensive review of patient care at [Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center] — including the number of devices used on patients — to make sure that Veterans were not harmed by any procedures. To date, VA has found no quality of care issues. The investigation will continue until every Veteran's case has been reviewed."