Almost €800k paid by pharma to unidentified HCPs

In 2020, pharmaceutical companies provided €1.35 million to Irish healthcare professionals (HCPs) who disclosed their names on the transfer of value (ToV) register operated by the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). A further €746,322 was provided to HCPs who declined to be named, according to figures supplied to the Medical Independent (MI) by IPHA.

The ToVs to HCPs — mostly doctors — included fees for consultancy/services and related expenses, as well as registration fees for conferences and associated travel/accommodation. The total payments were vastly reduced on previous years, when HCPs received approximately €6 million. IPHA would not speculate on the reasons for the decline, although the pandemic appears to have been one likely factor.

Healthcare organisations, including hospitals and clinical societies, received €7.76 million from pharmaceutical companies in 2020. The payments took the form of donations, grants and event sponsorships, as well as expenses.

According to IPHA, companies invested over €27.5 million in research and development last year, a 33 per cent increase compared with 2019.

IPHA’s spokesperson told MI: “Since July 2016, details of biopharmaceutical companies’ engagements with healthcare practitioners and healthcare organisations have been publicly disclosed. Our industry initiated this move towards greater transparency in financial transactions.”

See news feature Under the microscope: Irish pharma’s engagement with doctors – Medical Independent