March 25, 2009
Previously published on March 6, 2009
An article published in the New York Times on March 4, 2009, states that Federal prosecutors are increasing investigations into doctors who take illegal kickbacks from drug and device companies. Federal health officials plan to file civil and criminal charges against a number of surgeons who allegedly received profitable consulting agreements from device makers in exchange for using their products. If convicted, doctors could face jail time, fines, loss of their licenses, and be excluded from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
In an attempt to create greater transparency, officials are forcing some drug and device makers to publicly post all payments made to doctors who serve as consultants or speakers. A bill currently in the U.S. Senate would mandate that all drug and device makers disclose consulting payments.
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