Business Week magazine has an interesting article regarding conflicts of interest among physicians, in particular cardiologists and those who publish clinical data regarding medicines or devices. I’ve alluded to such conflicts in previous posts, but it clearly is gaining national attention, particular in the fields of cardiology and orthopedics. The issue in cardiology is that many studies regarding stents are sponsored by stent-producing companies. Additionally, many cardiologists have a vested interest in the stent industry via board seats, stock, or consulting compensation in stent companies. The issue in orthopedics is that the federal government is investigating whether device companies have been compensating surgeons for device or implant use, a form of “kickbacks”. Read more →