Medtronic payments to doctor-consultants controversy erupts in Australia

The controversy concerning Medtronic's payments to its doctor-consultants has erupted in Australia, as a newspaper in the country cited confidential documents in saying that the medical technology giant devised a "secret marketing strategy" in 2007 to woo doctors' loyalty by paying fellowship grants. The documents indicate that the $1.5 million spent on 18 fellowship grants would likely reap a 200% return on investment in the first year.