Study Claims 1 in 12 Doctors Received Opioid-related Payments

Researchers at Boston Medical Center released a study claiming that one in 12 doctors have received money from drug companies marketing prescription opioid medications.

According to the study, from 2013 to 2015, 68,177 doctors received 375,266 non-research opioid-related payments — totaling more than $46 million —from drug companies selling opioids.

The study found that most payments were for speaking fees or honoraria (63.2% of all dollars), whereas food and beverage payments were the most frequent.

Researchers hope that these findings prompt an examination of industry influences on opioid prescribing.

Read the study