Massachusetts debuted data on payments made by drug and device manufacturers to healthcare providers for educational programs, speaking, consulting and other services. The database includes information reported to the state during the second half of 2009.
According to a state Department of Public Health analysis, Boston Scientific paid the most out of the 283 companies listed, $2.5 million to 129 recipients, although $2 million of that went to a charitable donation. Eli Lilly was next, with $1.7 million paid to 259 HCPs.
Highest paid during the six-month period was a Cambridge physician, who netted $194,275 from a single firm, Genzyme for “bona fide services,” a category that includes speakers’ bureaus and consulting.
Ranking 5th on the list of highest paid physicians was Lawrence Dubuske with $153,383 from five companies. Dubuske, an allergist, made headlines earlier in the year after his resignation from Brigham and Women’s Hospital was attributed to a new ban on promotional speaking by doctors adopted by the Brigham’s parent company, Partners HealthCare.
According to the Boston Globe, compensation for participating in speakers’ bureaus, consulting, and other “bona fide services” was by far the largest category of payments, $18 million.
A Massachusetts law had required drug or device companies doing business in the state to begin reporting certain payments of $50 or more two years ago.
From the January 01, 2011 Issue of MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
