GSK messed with a good thing

A few years ago, GlaxoSmithKline broke ranks with Big Pharma. Tarnished by bribery scandals, the British drug maker swore off making payments of any kind to doctors, winning praise around the world for the effort.

But last week, the company did an about-face, changing its policy to allow for “select” payments to cover speaking fees and travel costs. The problem: GSK expected some of its compatriots to follow suit, and when none did, the company found itself at a disadvantage.

As STAT’s Ed Silverman writes, GSK's decision is significant, and has negative impacts for patients, doctors, and the entire pharmaceutical industry.

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