SPOTLIGHT: Execs question impact of anti-kickback victories


Recently, the federal government unveiled a $311 million settlement with a bevy of device makers including Biomet, DePuy Orthopaedics, Smith & Nephew, Stryker Corp. and Zimmer Holdings. In the settlement, investigators said the firms had provided consulting fees, cash payoffs, trips and other incentives for doctors to use their products. Unfortunately, though, while this looks good on paper, the reality is that the settlement may not do much to address other potentially legal deals which tend to drive up the cost of devices, critics say. Article