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VT's pharma disclosure report: Psychiatrists receive most payments

Pharma Compliance Alert, July 4, 2007

Pharmaceutical companies spent $2.25 million in marketing expenses in Vermont during fiscal year 2006, according to Attorney General William Sorrell's fourth report on pharma marketing disclosures.

The top five spenders were Eli Lilly, Sanofi Aventis, Pfizer, Forest Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis, spending between them almost 60% of the total reported expenditures.

Eighty-one percent of total payments and benefits went to physicians and other prescribers, and the top 100 recipients received a total of $1,549,891.86 in fiscal year 2006, or 69% of the total payments.

Of these recipients, psychiatrists received the most gifts, and 11 psychiatrists received approximately 22.36% of the overall total. The average payment to psychiatrists was $45,692 in fiscal year '06.

Physicians specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism received the second largest aggregate amount among the top 100 recipients, with 5 prescribers receiving a total of $168,648.91. Sixteen internists in the top 100 recipient group received the third-largest amount, an aggregate of $150,209.70, with an average payment of $9,388.11.

Vermont says it is the only state that has obtained and analyzed these expenditures. Yet it also notes that the reported $2.25 million does not describe the total marketing efforts by pharmaceutical manufacturers in Vermont. That's because manufacturers don't have to report expenditures on advertising, employee salaries, and other areas such as rebates. Vermont requires pharmas to report fees, travel expenses, gifts, and other payments to healthcare providers.

Go to the Vermont attorney general's Web site to read the full report.

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