Three Doctors Reprimanded for Spine Study Payments

Three orthopedic surgeons were reprimanded by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners; Richard Balderston, Thomas Errico and Jeffrey Goldstein did not disclose their financial interests in clinical studies of Synthes’ ProDisc spinal device to their respective institutions, according to the board. All three surgeons received payments related to the study, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

Balderston served as clinical investigator of the ProDisc at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn.; Goldstein and Errico were both involved in clinical studies of the device at New York University Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Disease in New York, N.Y.

Upon applying for medical license renewal, Goldstein and Errico both answered “no” when asked whether they had received financial payments exceeding $10,000 from medical device manufacturers, although according to the board, they each had. Both were ordered to pay civil fines.

“The undisclosed conflicts of interest on the part of these doctors undercut public trust in the medical profession,” New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow said.

“I agree and support the need for proper disclosure to patients and institutions with regard to financial conflicts of interest,” Errico said. In an e-mailed statement to Reuters, Errico said he disclosed his financial interest in the ProDisc study to the FDA in 2005, and any inconsistencies seen are the result of clerical errors.

The board assessed $60,000 in civil penalties and $17,500 in cost reimbursements against Errico, and $30,000 in civil rights penalties and $10,000 in cost reimbursements against Goldstein. The surgeons were also required to complete a medical ethics course.