Disclosure of Industry Payments to Physicians

Most physicians in the United States have financial relationships with industry, ranging from the acceptance of meals to the receipt of large sums of money for consulting, speaking, or conducting research.1,2 Within the next several years, the manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and medical supplies that are paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, or the State Children's Health Insurance Program may be required to report publicly many of these gifts and payments; the information would be made available in a “clear and understandable” format on a searchable government Web site. Public reporting would be mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine . . .