New legislation introduced Wednesday has made Ontario the first province in Canada to require public disclosure of payments that pharmaceutical and medical device companies make to doctors. The province consulted over the summer with patient groups, healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry about payments such as speaking engagement fees, meals, and travel expenses.
The legislation would require disclosure of the payments and create an online, searchable database of that information.
Ten major pharmaceutical companies released data earlier this year showing they had paid nearly $50 million to Canadian health-care professionals and organizations last year.
Health Minister Eric Hoskins said the move is about transparency for patients.
