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Minnesota Law Sheds More Light on Drug Companies

A Minnesota disclosure law has revealed that drug companies are devoting large sums of money to many members of state advisory panels who make decisions on which drugs will be used in Medicaid programs.

The Minnesota Medicaid Drug Formulary Committee is considering a conflict-of-interest policy that requires panel members to disclose such financial relationships and refrain from voting on drugs that may pose a conflict of interest.

Without such disclosure laws -- which exist only in three states, Minnesota, Vermont, and Maine -- there’s no way to know whether financial ties between the drug industry and state advisers exist.

Upon examining records in Minnesota, the Associated Press found the eight-member state panel did include some ties to the industry. Namely:
  • John E. Simon, a Minneapolis psychiatrist, earned $354,700 from companies including Eli Lilly and AstraZeneca from 2004 to 2006 in honoraria, speaker‘s and consulting fees, plus other payments ranging from $500 to $93,012.
  • Robert Straka, a University of Minnesota pharmacy professor, earned $78,100 in honoraria and other fees from 2000 to 2006.
Both men, and the committee chairman, maintain that the payments did not influence their committee decisions.

Still, medical ethicists say that state drug advisers should not receive money from drug companies because of their power over poor, disabled patients in the Medicaid system.

The Minnesota Medicaid Drug Formulary Committee’s recommendations to the state are usually followed. In 2006, they led $240 million in spending on drugs for 202,000 patients.

Minnesota state officials are planning to examine the Committee’s past actions for any potential bias, and will screen advisory council members for ties to the drug industry. They will also be requiring the Committee to record how each member of the panel votes.

Washington Post August 21, 2007



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

The more attention that’s paid to the rampant conflicts of interest going on in local, state, and federal governments, the better. This Washington Post article clearly illustrates the kind of money being thrown around by drug companies.

The panel members in the article stated that they were not influenced by the hundreds of thousands of dollars they were collectively given. And they may very well believe this.

But there is something they have not taken into account.

Cognitive bias.

This is the term that describes your mind’s preconceived notions about reality, and its effect on the way you think and act. These panel members have received lavish gifts (money) from the drug companies, and this will impact their decisions, whether consciously or not.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is becoming infamous for its many ties to the drug industry, so it’s not at all surprising to see these types of connections on the state level too.

If you were shocked by the news in this article, please pass it on to your friends and loved ones using the "E-mail to a Friend" button. The more we get the word out, the easier it will be to start the process of ensuring responsible leadership when it comes to your health.



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Comment on This Article Community Comments (17)
 
 
Posted On Aug 23, 2007
WOW, has the drug companies got every one bought-off!

Maybe one day a fellow Mercolain will be elected to a top position public office and begin to defuse many unethical practices and situations!

 
Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
Replied

Nathan210
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 3/2007
Nathan210  
 
Posted On Aug 23, 2007
Two words for you:

Ron Paul

He'll see the truth


Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
Posted On Aug 24, 2007
Not EVERYONE, yet, Rogway...

On behalf of Big Pharma though, a certain K Street Lobby Group would like to know what make of luxury car, free, you would like to appear in your driveway...?

;-)


KathieJamisonCote
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
KathieJamisonCote  
 
Posted On Sep 11, 2007

Rogway - YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!!!

This has got to be criminal activity.  There should be NO PAY OFFS, NO PERKS ALLOWED, NO KICKBACKS and NO INCENTIVES TO "PUSH DRUGS"  


 
 
 
Posted On Aug 23, 2007
This is huge !!

 
Lloyd Fielder D.C.
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Lloyd Fielder D.C.  
Replied

Helen Sanroma
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2006
Helen Sanroma  
 
Posted On Aug 25, 2007
WOW. Totally stunned! About time people start waking up!

Helen

 
 
 
Posted On Aug 23, 2007
DRUGS = Deadly Reactive Unneeded Governmentally $anctioned

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
 
 
Posted On Aug 23, 2007
Yes Dr Lloyd this is huge!!!!

Thank you Maine for being on top of this - and everyone thinks we're just in the sticks here................hehehhehe.

HEY YOU GUYS in all the other 47 states and DC get with it.............DRUGS BY ANY NAME ARE DRUGS - they kill, they mame, they damage..........alcohol should be illegal too, since it devastates more lives, families and relationships than pot ever thought of...........oh, but then Washinton would have a hard time functioning.......and might even start acting with a conscience........AND pharmaceuticals companies?  Their one and only concern is just how much "Can we Make on This One?"  

Imagine all the wonderful affects that could be achieved if the money spent on needless research and drugs was spent educating  the public how to feed their bodies and families properly............ ooooohh.........so many of the nation's health woes gone in a flash...........IT'S A BEAUTIFUL IMAGE in my mind on this beautiful Morning in Maine.
Peace All!

 
KathieJamisonCote
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
KathieJamisonCote  
Replied

cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Aug 25, 2007
one day this will happen. we just have to keep the faith.


pexx421
Novice User Novice User Joined On 2/2007
pexx421  
 
Posted On Sep 12, 2007

now kathie, we cant go outlawing things just because they are bad for us.  As a free society, we should have the prerogatives to make our own decisions.  Now if there was only the free and readily available information out there for us to do so, wouldnt that be grand? (instead of all the skewed studies and propaganda)


 
 
 
Posted On Aug 23, 2007
If he disclosed the information why is it not in the minutes?  It still has the appearance of being a conflict of interest.

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
 
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