Senate Probes Painkiller Makers’ Financial Ties
The U.S. Senate’s Finance Committee will probe the financial ties that exist between the manufacturers of prescription painkillers and patient advocacy groups, pain experts, and groups that determine the rules on how physicians use the medications. A letter signed by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), the committee’s chairman, and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said the investigation is meant to ensure that patients and doctors are receiving correct and unbiased information