Pharma payments to doctors stay behind closed doors ... for now: "Patients will remain in the dark about whether their treating doctors receive payments from pharmaceutical companies that could influence prescribing habits, after a bill aimed at increasing transparency ground to a halt on Monday. The payments may be indirect (though conference sponsorship or funds to travel to or attend conferences) or direct (though consultation fees).
The Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee rejected the bill, agreeing with government, industry and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) that self-regulation is the preferred approach."
