Vital Signs: Data reveal payments to Maine docs by drug, device makers

Maine doctors received more than $4 million from drug and medical device makers during the latter part of 2013, according to a new federal database that spotlights physicians’ ties with the health care industry.

The searchable database includes $3.5 billion worth of legal — but often controversial — payments to doctors and teaching hospitals by all pharmaceutical and medical deice manufacturers in the country.

Federal officials hope the data will encourage patients to check if their doctors receive money from companies whose products they prescribe. But be wary of a number of drawbacks: the database is far from user-friendly, much information is missing and, doctors groups argue, erroneous.

New database reveals payments to Maine doctors by drug, device makers
What you should know about the new doctor payment data

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Compiled by BDN Health Editor Jackie Farwell

 

Jackie Farwell

About Jackie Farwell

I'm the health editor for the Bangor Daily News, a Bangor native, a UMaine grad, and a weekend crossword warrior. I never get sick of writing about Maine people, geeking out over health care data, and finding new ways to help you stay well. I live in Gorham with my husband Nick and our hound dog Riley.