VT's pharma report: Psychiatrists receive most payments

VT's pharma report: Psychiatrists receive most payments

 

Pharmaceutical companies spent $2.25 million in marketing expenses in Vermont during fiscal year 2006, according to the Attorney General William Sorrell's fourth report on pharma marketing disclosures. The top five spenders were Eli Lilly, Sanofi Aventis, Pfizer, Forest Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis, which combined to spend almost 60% of the total reported expenditures. Eighty-one percent of total payments and benefits went to physicians and other prescribers, and the top 100 recipients received a total of $1,549,891.86 in fiscal year 2006, or 69% of the total payments. Of these recipients, psychiatrists received the most gifts, and 11 psychiatrists received approximately 22.36% of the overall total. The average payment to psychiatrists was $45,692 in fiscal year 2006.