Boston.com has posted an article about how many doctors that drug companies hire to be the spokesman for a drug actually have “questionable’ records. Drug companies say that they hire the “most respected doctors in their fields for the critical task of teaching about the benefits and risks of their drugs.”
But an investigation by ProPublica has brought to light that many doctors who are on drug companies’ payrolls have been accused of “professional misconduct”, lacked credentials as researchers or specialists in area of the specific drug, or had been disciplined by state boards.
A review of physician licensing records in the 15 most populous states and three others found sanctions against more than 250 speakers, including some of the highest paid. Their misconduct included inappropriately prescribing drugs, providing poor care, or having sex with patients. Some of the doctors had even lost their licenses.