Pharma cash injection for doctors: These five professors get the most money

The highest amount was received by osteoporosis specialist Jean-Yves Reginster, who lives in Lake Geneva. The osteoporosis expert is, among other things, an associate professor at the University of Liège (Belgium) and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Public Health Aspects of Musculoskeletal Health and Aging.

75,000 francs from a single company

Reginster has published hundreds of publications on various aspects of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and frailty. He is also President of the European Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis Association and co-founder and board member of the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Reginster received 75,240 francs last year, paid by a single company: Mylan Pharma GmbH in Steinhausen ZG, part of the international Viatris group. Mylan is active in the market with drugs in the field of osteoporosis, among other things.

A renowned academic community

In second place is Luc Biedermann (55,677 francs), senior doctor at the Clinic for Gastroenterology and Hepatology (diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract) at the University Hospital Zurich. This is followed by Biedermann’s clinical director, Gerhard Rogler (53,309 francs), who also heads the obesity center at the university hospital. The fourth largest sum went to Alfredo Addeo, head of oncology at the University Hospital of Geneva (53,237 francs), followed by Roger Lehmann, deputy director of the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition at the University Hospital Zurich (41,326 francs).

The Observer wanted to know to what extent the consultancy work of all five doctors for the pharmaceutical industry and the resulting financial income affected their medical independence. Reginster, Biedermann and Addeo left a request unanswered.

“It definitely suits my education and position.”

Roger Lehmann, who treats patients with diabetes, hormonal disorders and obesity as head of the diabetology department, emphasizes: “I am medically independent, as I teach almost all pharmaceutical companies operating in the diabetes sector. “I usually give these lessons in my spare time and prepare them at home.” According to Lehmann, he is paid between 100 and 150 francs per hour; which is “absolutely appropriate for my education and position.”

Clinic director Gerhard Rogler says about himself that he is considered very “pharmacritic”. “In my view, counseling activities will not affect his medical independence.” He is aware of “potential and actual conflicts of interest.” That’s why I’m making them public and transparent, so I can check at any time whether they’re affecting my prescribing practice.”