Drugmakers spent $3M in Vermont

A report issued by the Attorney General for Vermont, USA, William Sorrell (Democrat), has revealed that 78 pharmaceutical firms spent  in excess of $2.9 million in 2008 on marketing to physicians, clinics  and universities in the northeastern state. The Vermont administration  is campaigning to end drugmakers' ability to prevent publication of  the recipients names where a "trade secret" is alleged by the sponsor.

The leading companies involved were USA-based Eli Lilly, Forest  Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co and Pfizer, as well as Swiss drug major  Novartis, according to the report. Over 80% of recorded marketing  expenditure was categorized as "trade secrets."