Two of the speaker physicians earned six figures since last year through speaking arrangements. Dr. Philip Pizzo, the dean of Stanford’s medical school, sent an e-mail to all medical staff last week, saying the conduct was “unacceptable” and calling some physicians’ excuses “difficult if not impossible to reconcile with our policy,” according to the report.
Faculty at other institutions, such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Colorado Denver, are also under review for lecturing for drug firms. According to ProPublica, the investigation shows universities’ policies to prevent promotional talks — usually the use of an “honor system” — is not working.
Read the ProPublica report on medical school promotional talks.
Read more on the relationship between pharmaceutical companies and physicians:
–AHA Wants Expanded Whistleblower Law Stuck Down
–Medication Management Key Method to Reduce Pharmacy Operational Costs
