The New York Times editorial: "Is your doctor tied to drug makers?"

The New York Times published an editorial July 2nd after the Senate Special Committee on Aging held hearings in which the establishment of a national registry of drug company gifts and payments to doctors was proposed to help curb financial conflicts of interest in medicine.

A national registry would build on statutes already in place in Vermont and Minnesota, where enforcement of reporting requirements and making the findings available to the public has been challenging.  The editorial highlights that legislation should require the registry be made easily accessible and searchable by anyone with an internet connection.  

You can view the webcast of the hearing “Paid to Prescribe?: Exploring the Relationship Between Doctors and the Drug Industry” here and the full Times editorial here.