The Newsday investigation: “Three Long Island doctors selected to lead a committee that recommends the drugs two Suffolk hospitals stock for patients accepted tens of thousands of dollars from pharmaceutical companies while serving on the advisory panel.”
“The doctors — affiliated with John T. Mather Memorial and St. Charles hospitals in Port Jefferson — accepted about $125,000 from drugmakers between 2009 and 2013, company records show.” They… ” received most of the payments for speeches promoting the companies’ drugs…”
“Databases posted on the websites of various drugmakers — including pharmaceutical giants Merck, Novartis and Pfizer — list the payments.” “Other companies that have paid Nizza, Kaell and Fishberger include Eli Lilly, Forest Laboratories and AstraZeneca.”
“A Georgetown University expert on pharmaceutical marketing said formulary committee members should avoid all conflicts of interest.” “Obviously, formulary committee members are like gold to pharmaceutical companies…”
“The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, a professional group based in Bethesda, Md., cautions against financial conflicts on formulary committees. ‘A conflict of interest, financial or otherwise, may interfere with professionals’ ability to make evidence-based decisions, and even the appearance of a potential COI [conflict of interest] can undermine a formulary decision,’ ASHP guidelines state.”
“Hospitals have varying policies concerning payments from drugmakers — some, like St. Charles and Mather, permit formulary committee members to receive such payments.”
“Hospital spokesman Stuart Vincent said Mather and St. Charles did not require doctors to disclose financial links to drugmakers until 2013. ‘Upon reappointment or application, physicians on or applying to the joint Mather/St. Charles medical staff must disclose all financial interests in drug or medical device companies,’ Vincent said. Vincent said a hospital pharmacy director researches drugs proposed for the formulary and the committee uses various safety and efficacy guidelines to reach its decisions. If the committee approves a drug, Vincent said, the boards of the two hospitals have the final say.”
Click here to read the full Newsday article “LI docs who recommend meds to hospitals got paid by drug companies” by Kathleen Kerr.
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Doctor, Did You Wash Your Hands? ™ provides information to consumers on understanding, managing and navigating health care options.
Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration.
This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.