Drug companies to reveal grant practices

For years, large drug and medical device manufacturers have provided consulting fees, free trips to exotic locales and funding for educational conferences that physicians attend in an effort to court doctors. Some say these moves improperly influence medical care. But now, under the threat of regulation from Congress, the two industries promise to be more forthcoming about their spending. A dozen of the nation's leading drug and device makers say they plan to publicly disclose grants to outside groups, and to publish the details on each company's Web sites.