Study of device/drug firm influence
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Relationships between physicians and device and drug firms vary significantly by the medical specialty, according to a study reported in the April 26 New England Journal of Medicine. Cardiologists were more than twice as likely as family practitioners to receive payments and physicians who had a hand in developing clinical guidelines had a higher frequency of payments from industry. The study surveyed 3,167 doctors in six specialties in 2003-2004. The variations suggest guidelines may be needed to manage device/drug company influence on physician practice patterns, the authors conclude...