Saying they are doing the right thing is simply not enough

I do not trust voluntary reporting – financial incentives are just too great.  I think that hospitals and pharmaceutical companies convince themselves that they are doing the right thing – but by so narrowly defining what is right – they underreport and do not serve the public’s interest.  Take adverse event reports – The National Patient Safety Foundation estimates that there are as many as 4700 adverse events in our state – yet only 247 were reported.  Pfizer, after two gigantice fines – has voluntarily reported some payments yet Eric Campbell, lead author of an analysis of conflicts of interests states that he would never rely on what drug companies discloses unless the numbers were audited.