How Much Did Pharmaceutical Companies Pay Edina Doctors?

Drug companies have paid Edina doctors tens of thousands of dollars since 2009 as part of an effort to spread the word about their products, according to a ProPublica database updated last week.

The “Dollars for Docs” database represents $2 billion in disclosed payments from a total of 15 companies who cumulatively hold 47 percent of the industry’s market share.

The payments cover:

• Speaking fees
• Consulting fees
• Research
• Travel fees
• Meals
• Educational items or gifts
• Royalty or license fees

Pharmaceutical payments to physicians are not illegal, but critics say these payments turn doctors into sales reps, influence physicians’ prescription decisions and undermine trust in the health care system.

Backers counter that they provide important education on new drugs that benefits doctors and patients alike.

The ProPublica database likely understates the amount that doctors receive. Dozens of companies don’t publicize their payments to specific doctors. Most companies in the database are required to report because of legal settlements with the federal government.

Minnesota physicians received $26,502,825 of the total. The state also had one of the 22 doctors nationwide who have earned at least $500,000 from pharmaceuticals since 2009—Dr. Todd Hess, director of United Pain Center in St. Paul. ProPublica found 32 payments worth $542,900 from Eli Lilly, Forest, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer.

Ralph Earl Steele—a pulmonary medicine specialist at Allina Health’s Minnesota Lung Center—received the most in Edina. GlaxoSmithKline paid him $114,316 in 2011 for research.

According to ProPublica, “Research payments are distinct from speaking and consulting,” and do not “reflect the actual compensation received by the physician listed as the principal investigator.” The total includes the cost of supplies, patient care and time spent managing the study.

Eric W. Larson—who’s now listed as a physician with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis—received the biggest payments in Edina that weren’t from research. Eli Lilly paid him $66,550 in 2009 for educational programs.

Use the widget above to find out what payments your doctor received. Then share your thoughts on what you find in the comments below.