From Tim Mackey and Bryan Liang: Transparency in Physician-Industry Relationships: State and Federal Efforts

http://journals.lww.com/pathologycasereviews/Abstract/2012/07000/Transparency_in_Physician_Industry_Relationships__.2.aspx

Transparency in Physician-Industry Relationships: State and Federal Efforts

Mackey, Tim K.; Liang, Bryan A.

Pathology Case Reviews. 17(4):144-147, July/August 2012.

doi: 10.1097/PCR.0b013e31826750cf

Abstract: The rise of pharmaceutical marketing has had a lasting impact on the provisioning of health care in the United States. Industry promotional expenditures have largely been targeted at influencing physicians through various forms of payment, resulting in physician-industry conflicts of interests with potential negative consequences. These conflicts have led to state efforts to increase transparency and require disclosure of payments made to physicians as well as other efforts. However, limitations of these state-based initiatives have led to the passage of national physician payment disclosure provisions in the recently enacted and upheld health care reform act. Yet, the future viability and potential impact of these laws remain in question. A fundamental shift away from industry marketing to physicians toward health care consumerism and an emphasis on direct-to-consumer advertising may significantly limit their impact. State and Federal policymaking efforts should be combined to address these challenges and more dynamically promote patient care.