Spine doctors are adopting strict rules on payments

The North American Spine Society, a medical society representing U.S. spine surgeons, has taken the rare step of requiring that researchers disclose not just the existence of financial ties to medical-device companies, but the dollar amounts as well. The initiative is a response to pressure from lawmakers, prosecutors and lawsuits by companies' former employees. Prominent surgeons doing research have been found to have significant financial relationships with medical-device firms. NASS, which has more than 5,000 members, said the new disclosure policy will apply to doctors who present studies at future medical conferences.