Recognizing the concern, several Illinois physicians said they were taking another look at their practices.
"I haven't offered patients this information to date, but, clearly, this issue of disclosure has gained a lot of traction, and I think we're going to have to change how we do things," said Dr. Peter Toth, a family practitioner in Sterling, Ill., who earned $185,002 from drug companies in 2009 and the first half of 2010.
"I think if doctors brought this up with patients, most wouldn't have any problem," said Dr. James Webster, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and president emeritus of the Chicago Board of Health. "As far as I'm concerned, I think doctors should make this information available in their waiting rooms."
Separately, a June 2008 poll of 1,009 adults released by the Pew Prescription Project found that 64 percent of Americans think it's important to know about their doctors' financial ties to drug companies. Respondents took a dim view of several activities, with 86 percent saying that companies shouldn't give free dinners to physicians, and 80 percent saying that payments for serving on speakers bureaus shouldn't be allowed.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Health | Doctor-drug company database sheds light | Seattle Times Newspaper
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