The brouhaha over pharmaceutical companies' payments to doctors is making some big waves in Congress. In fact, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) says he's going to propose a bill to require that drug makers disclose any payments they make to doctors for consulting, lectures, and the like. If Grassley succeeds in enacting such a law, there should be some painful shock waves in the industry, as no one really likes to stare directly at the sun (or the extent of pharma payouts).
Pharma, of course, is against the measure. In fact, a drug company lawyer said making the cash flow public would lay the money bare to misinterpretation. He's suggested people might think the payments are bribes, when they're just remuneration for services rendered.
To learn more about the proposed bill:
- read this FiercePharma article
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