Drug companies pay Oregon doctors $5.8M


Doctors and other health care providers in Oregon received $5.8 million from pharmaceutical companies since 2009.

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Doctors and other health care providers in Oregon received $5.8 million from pharmaceutical companies since 2009.

Pharmaceutical company payments to doctors are under increased scrutiny because of concerns their money influences health care. A database released today by the nonprofit ProPublica provides new details about the depth and breadth of the pharmaceutical industry payments, including in Oregon. The list includes 12 companies which cover more than 40 percent of U.S. drug sales. 

Oregon Health & Science University’s chief integrity officer, Gary Chiodo, says scrutiny of the funding is healthy. 

“There have been several studies now that even small gifts from industry to doctors influences their decision making,” he said. “Even the smallest of gifts … can influence prescribing practices. And certainly when you get into the larger amounts, when someone is getting huge consulting fees for doing little work, the influence is great. All of that of course drives up the cost of health care.”

Read more at OregonLive.com.

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