Shares of orthopedic device manufacturers fell on Monday and again this morning after leading makers revealed they are the object of probes by the Department of Justice. On Monday, BioMet, Stryker and Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DuPuy said they have been contacted by regulators regarding potential antitrust violations. Analysts are worried the investigation could signal a new federal focus on the relationship between device makers and doctors. In the past, critics have focused on consulting arrangements between orthopedic surgeons and particular device companies, which can often richly reward doctors.
- see this article from the AP