Merck starts revealing payments to doctor-speakers

Merck & Co. paid doctors and nurses a total of $3.7 million this summer to give talks to colleagues about the drugmaker's products and other health topics, Merck disclosed. Amid growing criticism of industry influence over which treatments doctors choose for their patients, the company posted a database on its Web site listing speaking fees paid to 1,078 doctors, researchers, nurses and other health professionals. It covers July through September, and Merck plans to update it regularly.