Vermont is one of only several states which require pharmaceutical
companies to disclose money paid to influence doctor's prescribing
practices. The New York Times reported on June 27, 2007 Psychiatrists
Top List in Drug Maker Gifts: "drug company payments to psychiatrists
in the state (Vermont) more than doubled last year (2006), to an
average of $45,692 each from $20,835 in 2005. Antipsychotic medicines
are among the largest expenses for the states Medicaid program."
The below article shows that one year later Vermont psychiatrists are
raking in even more from pharma: "Eleven psychiatrists received a
total of almost $630,000, or about 20 percent of combined marketing
expenditures in the state, the study found. That amounts to about
$57,000 per psychiatrist, on average."
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Letter to the editor:
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SERVICES07
Vermont Rutland Herald
Report: Drug makers spent $3M in state in 2007
By Peter Hirschfeld
Jul 9, 2008
