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Pharma companies to disclose payments to physicians

Pharma Compliance Alert, October 1, 2008

Eli Lilly will begin disclosing all payments over $500 to physicians when it launches an online registry of physician payments in the second half of 2009, according to a company release. The public will be able to access the database and find out how much money individual physicians received to serve as speakers and advisors. The database will be updated every year with the information from the prior year.

Shortly after Lilly revealed its disclosure plans, Merck announced it would begin disclosing payments to physicians who serve as speakers for the company in 2009. Merck previously announced it would begin disclosing grants to patient organizations, medical professional societies, and other organizations beginning this month. Merck plans to expand the scope of those disclosures in 2009 as well.

Johnson & Johnson will begin disclosing educational grants and grants to patient-advocacy organizations in 2009, according to a New York Times article. AstraZeneca already posts contributions to non-profit organizations and educational grants. The company is considering whether to disclose additional information, according to the Times.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) released updates to its voluntary Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals on July 10 in part to increase transparency on the industry’s funding practices. The new guidelines take effect January 2009. 

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