Senate Aging Committee holds hearing on medical device companies

The Senate Special Committee on Aging holds a hearing today on marketing by medical device companies. The hearing concerns the business practices of five companies involved in a $311 million settlement with the U.S. government last year over kickback allegations.  The companies have been called to testify.

The disclosure mandated by the settlement, and the findings (40 surgeons received more than $1 million each from device makers last year alone), bear on the proposed Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which would require all pharmaceutical and medical device makers to report gifts to physicians on a biannual basis, which would be published in a public online database.  Committee Chair Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) is an original co-sponsor of the Sunshine Act.

Here’s a good article by the St. Paul Pioneer-Press about the hearing.

If you are on or near the Hill , stop by and show your support for transparency in medical marketing.

The Wheres and Whens:

Senate Special Committee on Aging

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 10:30 AM

Dirksen Building 628