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MarketWatch Reports:

“Pfizer said late Monday it plans to publicly disclose its compensation to U.S. healthcare professionals for consulting, speaking engagements and clinical trials in a bid to boost transparency. The disclosure will include payments made to practicing physicians, principal investigators, major academic institutions and research sites for clinical research, the pharmaceutical giant said. Pfizer plans to publish its first report in early 2010, starting with payments from July 1, 2009.”

Sounds good at first glance until you take a closer look at the last sentence:
Pfizer plans to publish its first report in early 2010, starting with payments from July 1, 2009.”

Translation: In 2 years Pfizer will disclose the money it has given to doctors during a time period which has not began yet. The obvious problems with this approach are that:

A)  It will give no such disclosures as to payments made during the previous years. The years when prescription drug use skyrocketed as the public has become increasingly outraged over the cozy relationship doctors share with the drug companies. The money, dinners and vacations they received prior to July 2009 will never be known.

B) It puts any physicians on notice. Those who have a questionable relationship with Pfizer will simply cut ties after July 2009.

Pfizer’s announcement seems like a PR stunt.

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