Reports From Cutting Edge Information Show Physicians Coming Under Federal Scrutiny Could Harm Vital Relationship With Pharmaceutical Industry

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - March 23, 2009) - The Department of Health and Human Services and federal prosecutors announced last week that they will begin investigating doctors that have financial ties to pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Historically content with investigating members of the industry for attempting to gain undue influence on physicians, according to the New York Times, prosecutors will be turning their sights towards the physicians or surgeons unethically involved with the industry.

Physician-industry relationships have been under fire for a number of years. But the pressure has escalated as the need to lower healthcare costs increases and the public's negative image of the industry grows more intense. The physician-industry relationship has also recently suffered from a number of high profile cases where physicians abused their position.

The growing regulatory and prosecutorial scrutiny could seriously impact a relationship vital to medical advancement, as doctors become wary of working with the industry in fear that published connections will harm their practices and reputations. According to a set of new reports on thought leader management, by Cutting Edge Information, pharmaceutical and other companies in the industry should be proactive in implementing policies and procedures that will protect both themselves and the physicians who work with them.

Consultation from leading physicians and researchers is a crucial part of producing effective drugs.

"Key Opinion Leaders: Relationship Management and Segmentation Data" provides detailed strategies to aid companies' thought leader management strategies. A complimentary brochure is available for download at http://www.PharmaOpinionLeaders.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT INFORMATION: Jordan Stone 919-433-0376