Physicians on Pharma payroll have blemished records, says ProPublica

Given the significant debate about whether paying doctors to market drugs can inappropriately influence what they prescribe, investigative journalism group ProPublica created a comprehensive database that represents the most accessible accounting yet of payments to doctors. Compiled from disclosures by seven companies, the database covers $257.8 million in payouts since 2009 for speaking, consulting and other duties.

Payments to doctors for promotional work are not illegal and can be beneficial. Strong relationships between pharmaceutical companies and physicians are critical to developing new and better treatments. There is much debate, however, about whether paying doctors to market drugs can inappropriately influence what they prescribe. Today, tens of thousands of US physicians are paid to spread the word about pharma’s favored pills and to advise the companies about research and marketing, says ProPublica.

Some doctors said to have earned $200,000-$300,000