The Medical Freedom Channel

“A revised Senate bill would require drugmakers and medical devicemakers to publicly report gifts over $500 a year to doctors, watering down the standard set in a previous version. The new language of the Senate bill was endorsed by Eli Lilly and Co., maker of impotence drug Cialis and schizophrenia drug Zyprexa. Lawmakers said they hope the support will spur other companies to back the bill, which had previously required all gifts valued over $25 be reported. Lavish gifts to doctors from industry — ranging from golf vacations to pricey dinners — have come under fire from lawmakers for influencing doctors’ prescribing habits. The industry says such gestures are part of its doctor education, but critics say they taint independent decision-making.” (05/13/08)