Only rarely did pharmacists agree to publish their receipts for the promotion of medicines

Doctors in Slovenia received record-breaking payments of over 17 million euros from pharmaceutical companies last year, primarily for promoting medications, according to newly disclosed data. The information was made public after a decision by the Financial Inspectorate, which approved the release of detailed records of financial transactions involving healthcare professionals. These payments were directed to doctors, medical institutions, professional associations, and other entities engaged in the promotion of drugs. The payments, which include compensation for promotional activities such as seminars, sponsorships, donations, consultations, educational programs, and drug trials, reached a new high in the past decade. According to the data, pharmaceutical companies paid more than 17 million euros gross to physicians and various organizations. This figure includes contributions to hospitals, medical societies, and other groups associated with the healthcare sector. The funds were intended to support the promotion of prescription medications, targeting both physicians who write prescriptions and patients seeking new treatments. Among the top contributors, Eli Lilly led with payments exceeding 1.5 million euros, followed by AstraZeneca with over 1.2 million euros, Novartis with nearly 1.1 million euros, and AbbVie and Novo Nordisk each contributing around one million euros. These companies produce original medications, including expensive ones for severe diseases. Other notable contributors included Krka and Lek, though they ranked lower on the list. The Financial Inspectorate's analysis identified 536 distinct individuals who received payments, with an average of approximately 1,983 euros per person and a median of 725 euros. This indicates a highly uneven distribution of payments among healthcare professionals. The data also revealed that only about a quarter of the total value of transfers to healthcare workers was publicly disclosed under their names. When considering independent entrepreneurs whose names can be clearly identified, this proportion increased to roughly 43 percent. This means that the public could not determine the recipients of approximately 57 percent of the total payments made to doctors. The list of individuals who gave consent for the disclosure of their names includes various specialists, ranging from internists and cardiologists to neurologists, allergologists, and pediatricians. One of the highest individual payments was recorded for an oncologist-internist, who received 27,136 euros. The publication of these figures has sparked discussions about transparency in the pharmaceutical industry’s interactions with healthcare professionals. While some argue that such disclosures are necessary for accountability, others emphasize the need for further clarification on how these payments influence prescribing practices and patient care. As the debate continues, the focus remains on ensuring that financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers are conducted with integrity and openness.