Medtronic Accused of Millions in Kickback to Doctors
Based in Minneapolis, Medtronic is one of the largest medical device makers in the country, with around $10 billion in annual sales. Like other large companies in the industry, Medtronic continues to have problems with some of their products--and failing to tell doctors and patients about the problems. With the recent recall of two of their defibrillators, and questions about safety regarding some of their pacemaker devices, Medtronic has put potentially thousands of patients at risk.
Recent news also indicates that Medtronic paid surgeons exorbitant consultant fees to use and promote its devices. According to a whistle-blower suit filed two years ago in federal court, the company has spent tens of millions of dollars on consultant contract and other types of payments to prominent surgeons, including $400,000.00 per year to a Wisconsin surgeon for eight days of work.
I would like to know if any type of legal suit has been initiated against medtronic defective defibrillators.
I would like to know what kind of "kickbacks" were given, to whom, and why they were given. I am doing a resreach paper and this would be great help. Any other information about "kickbacks" would also be greatly appreicated.
At the federal level, an MDL is established in the federal district court for the District of Minnesota. There are also state court proceedings around the country. I am personally aware of suits in Texas and New York.
I think my doctor was paid off! In January of 2003 I had my second back surgery (posteior lumbar fusion). Just before going into surgery my doctor told me he wanted to use Infuse Bone Graft. After the surgery I found out he used it off-label. Not only did he not inform me he was using the product off-label, he did not get paid for the product. It was not even billed to the insurance. This is a very expensive product so I dont believe he did this for free. I contacted the FDA and did not here back. I contacted Medtronic to find out when he had been trained to use Infuse, but of course they refused to tell me. The Infuse was approved and tested for anterior fusions only and to be used with metal cages. He put this product directly into my bone without using the metal cages. The out come has not been good. I understand the importance of doctors being able to use products off-label, but this was just wrong. I dont think this doctor used this expensive product for free, do you.