Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does GSK pay healthcare professionals to do?

Because of their valuable knowledge, insight and experience in appropriate disease and therapy areas that are important to the company and the healthcare community, GSK contracts with some individual healthcare professionals to share information about our medicines and the diseases and conditions they are approved to treat in an effort to help improve patient care in their clinics and practices. Sharing information on disease states is important for advancing patient care and healthcare professionals often learn best from their peers and colleagues.

GSK also contracts with some healthcare professionals to share their expertise with GSK as a company. Because these advisors possess unique insight and knowledge in their various fields, they can help us to better evaluate scientific issues or data and respond to the emerging needs of patients and other healthcare professionals.

Q. Does GSK offer these healthcare professionals training?

Before speaking on behalf of GSK, a healthcare professional must complete training to ensure that they follow the guidelines that govern their role as speakers, and that they meet responsibilities to the FDA, peers, colleagues, and patients.

GSK speakers must use company-prepared slides to ensure that the information presented is aligned with the US Food and Drug Administration approved prescription label for the medicine involved.

Q. What qualifications are required to become a GSK speaker or advisor?

Broadly speaking, we look for physicians who are qualified experts in their field, well-respected by their peers and, in the case of speakers, good presenters. Presenters should have the appropriate background, experience, and/or expertise to present the relevant topic.

In the US, GSK conducts both a federal and state review to identify and exclude healthcare professionals from its speaker bureau who meet one or more of the following criteria (whether past or present):

• Identified as being an excluded individual or entity by the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”);
• Identified as having been debarred by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”); and
• Identified as having received a professional sanction and/or disciplinary action from either a federal or state government agency or authority.

Q. Why does GSK compensate healthcare professionals for speaking and consulting services?

Because of their valuable knowledge, insight and experience in appropriate disease and therapy areas that are important to the company and the healthcare community, GSK contracts with some individual healthcare professionals to share information about our medicines and the diseases and conditions they are approved to treat in an effort to help improve patient care in their clinics and practices. Sharing information on disease states is important for advancing patient care and healthcare professionals often learn best from their peers and colleagues.

GSK also contracts with some healthcare professionals to share their expertise with GSK as a company. Because these advisors possess unique insight and knowledge in their various fields, they can help us to better evaluate scientific issues or data and respond to the emerging needs of patients and other healthcare professionals.

Q. How does GSK decide what to pay these healthcare professionals?

We base the payment on the fair market value for the services provided by the individual, which takes into account the service provided, the time involved, the individual’s qualifications, experience and knowledge in the area in which he or she is providing services to GSK.

GSK has set a limit on payments to US healthcare professionals for speaking or advising. In January 2010, the limit dropped from $150,000 to $100,000.

Q. Can healthcare professionals opt out of having their information included?

No.

Q. Who prepares the materials that speakers for GSK use in their presentations?

GSK chooses the speaker, topic and program content. All information presented must be consistent with the approved US label for the product(s) discussed. GSK prepares the slides.

GSK is transparent about its involvement with these programs. These programs must be in locations conducive to scientific and educational communication. Typically they are held at a hotel, conference site, hospital or restaurant. GSK does not pay or reimburse travel or hotel expenses to those attending such a presentation. A GSK representative must attend each presentation to monitor for compliance with GSK policy.

Q. Do you pay doctors to attend events at which you sponsor a speaker?

No. GSK does not pay for attendance or reimburse travel or hotel expenses to those attending such a presentation. We do pay for meals at speaker events consistent with state law requirements.

Q. Is GSK doing this globally?

Yes; similar reports will be published in 2011 for Europe and Asia-Pacific/Japan and Emerging Markets. The format of these reports will vary slightly.

Q. Are payments to clinical investigators for research services included in the listing?

No, those are separate. In 2011, GSK has published a list of payments made during 2010 for clinical research studies led by U.S. healthcare professionals. The policy will be extended later to healthcare professionals and institutions outside the U.S.

The initial US disclosure will include payments for all GSK research (GSK-sponsored and GSK-supported) at all stages of drug discovery and development that involves a US healthcare professional as the principle investigator or lead researcher.

Q. Wouldn't my medicines cost less if you didn't pay physicians all this money?

With respect to speakers, direct communication with their peers helps GSK provide valuable peer-to-peer education regarding patient care and our medicines.

With respect to advisors, these healthcare professionals help us to better evaluate scientific issues or data and respond to the emerging needs of patients and other healthcare professionals striving to advance patient care.

In both cases, these healthcare professionals provide legitimate services to GSK and they should be fairly compensated for that work. Payments to these individuals for such services are based on the fair market value of the services they provide.

Q. Is there a number that I can call for more information about the HCP Fee Disclosure Listing?

Yes, anyone can call our Response Center at 1-888-825-5249. (Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Eastern Time.)