Pharmaceutical Industry Payments to Medical Oncologists in the Netherlands: Trends and Patterns Provided by an
J B Schnog1,2, M J Samson3, I Gersenbluth2
1Department of Hematology-Medical Oncology, Curaçao Medical Center, Willemstad, Curaçao.
Purpose:
Health care expenditure related to oncologic treatments is skyrocketing although many treatments offer marginal, if any, clinical benefit. Financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) resulting from pharmaceutical industry (pharma) payments to physicians is increasingly recognized as a predictive factor for regulatory board approval and guideline incorporation of low-value treatments. We sought to study the extent to which pharma payments to medical oncologists occur in the Netherlands, the amount of money involved, and whether these occur more frequently and are higher for key opinion leaders (KOLs).
Methods:
In our cross-sectional retrospective database study, we used several Dutch open-access databases and extracted data registered between 2019 and 2021.
Results:
A cumulative amount of €899,863 was paid to 48.8% of the 408 registered medical oncologists. Over time, there was a marked decline in both the proportion of medical oncologists receiving payments (from 40.4% in 2019 to 19.1% in 2021) and the mean annual value of payments (from €2,962 in 2019 to €2,188 in 2021) with the latter mainly resulting from a decline in hospitality-related transactions. KOLs were more likely to receive industry payments and received a higher median payment value.
Discussion:
Our findings should contribute to the increasing awareness in the Netherlands of the potential effects of fCOI.
Insights
Financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) are prevalent among Dutch oncologists, with payments declining over time. Key opinion leaders (KOLs) received higher industry payments, highlighting potential bias in cancer care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Health Economics
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Rising healthcare costs for cancer treatments with limited clinical benefit.
- Financial conflicts of interest (fCOI) from pharmaceutical (pharma) payments to physicians are linked to low-value treatments.
- Need to assess pharma payments to oncologists in the Netherlands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the extent and financial value of pharma payments to Dutch medical oncologists.
- To investigate if payments are more frequent and higher for key opinion leaders (KOLs).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional retrospective database study.
- Utilized Dutch open-access databases for data from 2019-2021.
- Extracted and analyzed payment data to medical oncologists.
Main Results:
- €899,863 paid to 48.8% of 408 medical oncologists between 2019-2021.
- Significant decline in oncologists receiving payments (40.4% to 19.1%) and mean payment value (€2,962 to €2,188).
- Key opinion leaders (KOLs) were more likely to receive higher median industry payments.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the prevalence of fCOI in Dutch oncology.
- The study contributes to increased awareness of fCOI's potential impact on cancer care.
- Identified a decline in payments but noted continued higher payments to KOLs.
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