Edwards Lifesciences Corp. said Tuesday it is going to voluntarily disclose payments to doctors for consulting work starting in 2009.
The Irvine-based heart valve maker said that it would put information on its Web site about its financial ties to doctors who receive $5,000 or more in consulting fees, royalties or honoraria from the company.
Edwards said it will publish the data annually starting in the second half of 2009.
The company has “been supportive of federal legislation that would require all companies to disclose this information,” Chief Executive Michael Mussallem said.
Edwards said it hopes it would learn from the experience as it launches a voluntary program in advance of a federal mandate.
The company’s move comes as concerns are arising about doctors’ business relationships with drug and medical device makers and whether they could potentially taint the integrity of medical research and patient care.
U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has introduced a bill that would require drug and device makers to divulge the payments they make to doctors.
