Editorial Expresses Concern About Physician Ties to Medical Device Makers

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 27 Sep 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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Many surgeons have "troubling" financial ties to medical device companies "that are often not revealed to their patients or to hospitals," a New York Times editorial states. The editorial, which cites cases in which surgeons who use certain medical devices receive royalty payments or consulting fees, questions "whether some doctors are choosing devices primarily for the good of their patients or primarily for the benefit of their own bank accounts." According to the editorial, sales representatives for medical device companies are "sometimes present in operating rooms and help surgeons select devices," which increases the potential for conflict of interest because they work on commission and "can make as much from an operation as the surgeon does." The editorial states that financial ties between surgeons and medical device companies "are surely a factor in driving up spending on medical devices," adding that "costs have soared and companies have earned profits of nearly 20% a year." The editorial concludes, "Perhaps the most important reform would be full disclosure by doctors ... of their lucrative contracts with the manufacturers," which would encourage patients and hospitals to "look hard" at whether the medical devices recommended by "a doctor-consultant were really the best to use" (New York Times, 9/24).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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