Best Buy Drugs Partners

Advisory Board

Consumer Reports deeply appreciates the participation of the following health care leaders, who generously agreed to serve on Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ Advisory Board. Board members are unpaid. Participation on the board does not in any way imply responsibility for, or necessarily agreement with, the information, analysis and materials in our reports.

Nancy Wilson Ashbach, M.D., M.B.A.
Family Physician-Former Member Board of Directors
American Academy of Family Physicans

Jerry Avorn, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School

Georges C. Benjamin, M.D.
Executive Director
American Public Health Association

Sharlea Leatherwood, P.D.
President
National Community Pharmacists Association

Jay Bhatt
President
American Medical Students Association

Lisa Schwartz, M.D., M.S.
Steven Woloshin, M.D., M.S.
Associate Professors of Medicine
VA Outcomes Group
Dartmouth Medical School

Peer Reviewers

The following physicians and pharmaceutical experts served as professional peer reviewers of our drug reports. For a fee, they reviewed the scientific content of the reports. They are not responsible in any way for the final content, information, analysis or recommendations on this Web site or associated with the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs Project. That responsibility lies with Consumer Reports.

At Consumer Reports' request, peer reviewers have disclosed any relationships they have with the pharmaceutical industry. It is common in the U.S. for leading physicians to receive some funding or gifts with financial value from pharmaceutical companies for various activities.

For the purposes of the Best Buy Drugs project, Consumer Reports does not view such funding as compromising peer reviewers’ clinical judgment or integrity unless the financial remuneration they receive from the industry is or has been a primary or substantial part of their personal income.

Jeffery L. Anderson, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
University of Utah School of Medicine
Associate Chief of Cardiology
LDS Hospital & Intermountain Healthcare
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dr. Anderson reports receiving funding for research from several pharmaceutical companies in the past, but has no current grants. He also reports receiving fees from Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis for continuing education speeches to doctors. Dr. Anderson was executive director of clinical cardiovascular research at Merck Research Labs in 1998-1999.

Michael J. Barry, M.D.
Medical Director
John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Dr. Barry reports no financial support or funding from any pharmaceutical company.

Richard M. Bergenstal, M.D.
Executive Director
International Diabetes Center
Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Bergenstal reports receiving research funding from several pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly. He also reports receiving speaking fees from Eli Lilly, Glaxo SmithKline, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis, and Merck.

Robert Bunning, M.D.
Associate Medical Director, Rheumatology
National Rehabilitation Hospital
Washington, D.C.
Dr. Bunning has received small amounts of funding from several pharmaceutical companies (unnamed) over the years to conduct research, discuss his clinical experience and attend meetings where arthritis medicines were discussed.

Daniel J. Buysse, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. Buysse has received research funding from several pharmaceutical companies. He also reports having served as a paid consultant to 12 companies, including Eli Lilly, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and Takeda.

Nananda Col, MD, MPP, MPH
Associate Professor of Medicine
Brown University
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, RI
Dr. Col has received no funding from any pharmaceutical company for any purpose. She was the recipient of a Faculty Development Award in Clinical Pharmacology from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, 1998-2001.

Lawrence Diller, M.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of California
San Francisco, CA
Private Practice - Walnut Creek, CA
Dr. Diller reports no funding or support from any pharmaceutical company. He has written books and articles critical of the overuse of psychiatric medicines in children.

Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD
Associate Professor
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Masters Program
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Georgetown University
Washington D.C.
Dr. Fugh-Berman reports no financial support or funding from any pharmaceutical company. She lectures at continuing medical education conferences; some of these have been funded by pharmaceutical companies. A fee is typically paid to all faculty at such events.

Raymond J. Gibbons, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine
The Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MNv Dr. Gibbons has received research support over the past 15 years from Wyeth-Ayerst, Burroughs-Wellcome, Genentech, Dupont, Rhone Poulenc Rorer, Smith Kline Beecham, as well as Aetna Insurance Co. and Medco Research.

Peter Glassman, MBBS, M.Sc.
Associate Professor, Dept. of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Glassman is a consultant in the area of pharmacy benefits and formulary management. He has clients in both the public and private sector.

Robin S. Goland, M.D.
Co-Director, Naomi Barrie Diabetes Center
Associate Professor of Medicine
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
New York, NY
Dr. Goland reports a current research grant from Eli Lilly and past research funding from Bayer, BristolMyersSquibb, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Takeda.

Mark W. Green, M.D.
Director, Columbia University Headache Center
Clinical Professor of Neurology
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
New York, New York
Dr. Green has received research funding in the past from Glaxo SmithKline, OrthoMcNeil, Allergan, and Pfizer. He reports that all funds went into institutional coffers.

Lennox Hoyte, M.D.
Associate Professor and Division Director
Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
University of South Florida School of Medicine
Tampa, FLA
Dr. Hoyte reports serving as a paid lecturer and consultant for one pharmaceutical company.

Peter Jensen, MD
Professor of Child Psychiatry
Director, Center for the Advancement of Children's Mental Health
Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, NY
Dr. Jensen reports current grants funds from McNeil Pharmaceuticals. He has served on the speaker's bureau of several pharmaceutical companies and also as a paid consultant to the industry.

Donald F. Klein, M.D., D.Sc.
Director of Psychiatric Research and the Department of Therapeutics
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University
New York, NY
Dr. Klein reports "extensive collaboration" with the pharmaceutical industry over a 50 year research career in clinical psychopharmacology. He also reports an existing financial affiliation with Vela Pharmaceuticals. He has served in the past as a Senior Science Advisor to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

Allan I. Levey, M.D., Ph.D
Chairman, Department of Neurology
Director, Alzheimer's Disease Center
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
Dr. Levey serves as an advisory board member for Acadia Pharmaceuticals and NovaDel. He participates in research activities with deCODE genetics. And he reports giving physician education seminars partially funded by Pfizer, Novartis, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D.
Director, New York State Psychiatric Institute
Chairman, Department of Psychiatry
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
New York, New York
Dr. Lieberman reports receiving grant funding for research from the following pharmaceutical companies: Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Pfizer and Acadia.

Robert Lipsy, Pharm.D. FASHP, BCPS
Manager, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Health Net of Arizona
Assistant Clinical Professor
College of Pharmacy
University of Arizona
Tucson, AR
Dr. Lipsy has in the past received research funding from Merck, Lilly and Glaxo Smith Kline.

Jeffrey Lisse, M.D.
Acting Section Chief, Professor of Medicine
Department of Rheumatology
University of Arizona School of Medicine
Medical Director, Arizona Arthritis Center
Tucson, AR
Dr. Lisse has received research funding from several major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Aventis, Ciba-Geigy, Glaxo (now Glaxo Smith Kline), and Searle. He has received speaking fees or honoraria from Abbott, Eli Lilly, Centacor, Amgen, Pfizer, Merck, Proctor & Gamble, Aventis and Novartis.

Denis McCarthy, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
Albuquerque,
Dr. McCarthy has served on the scientific advisory boards of numerous pharmaceutical companies over 25 years, including AstraZeneca. Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Wyeth-Ayerst. In this capacity, he was paid a consultant fee to attend meetings and deliver lectures on his research or clinical experience.

Kevin McVary, MD
Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Urology
Chicago, IL
Dr. McVary reports receiving funding from GlaxoSmithKline and Eli Lilly to conduct research. He has served as a consultant to GlaxoSmithKline, Eli Lily, Pfizer, Allergan, Sanofi and Watson. He also reports receiving gifts from pharmaceutical companies valued at more than $500.

Steven E. Nissen, M.D.
Chief of Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
Medical Director, Cardiovascular Coordinating Center
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
President-elect, American College of Cardiology (2005-2006)
Dr. Nissen has directed and/or participated in research sponsored by several major pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Sanofi-Aventis. He has also lectured at conferences sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and consulted to industry. He reports that he requests all fees from such activities be directed to charities. He accepts no personal reimbursement for directing or participating in research.

Phillip S. Norman, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Asthma and Allergy Center
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore , MD
Dr. Norman reports receiving no money recently from any pharmaceutical company for research or speaking. In 1997, research he conducted was supported by ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Company. He currently serves on the data safety monitoring board for Neurocrine Industries.

Daniel Oates, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Geriatrics
Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine
Boston, Mass.
Dr. Oates reports receiving no financial support, research funding or speaking fees from any pharmaceutical company.

James M. Perrin, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
Director, Division of General Pediatrics
Director, Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy
Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA
Dr. Perrin reports no recent funding or support from any pharmaceutical company. He conducted research on a drug in the 1970s that was funded by Roche Laboratories.

Paul J. Perry, Ph.D., RPh, BCCP, FCCP
Professor of Pharmacy and Psychiatry
University of Iowa Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine
Iowa City, IA
Dr. Perry reports research funding dating back to the 1980s from many pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Park-Davis, Glaxo-Wellcome (now Glaxo Smith Kline), Ciba-Geigy and Jannsen Pharmaceuticals.

Diana B. Petitti, MD, MPH
Senior Scientific Advisor for Health Policy and Medicine
Kaiser Permanente, Southern California
Sacramento, CA
Dr. Petitti reports receiving research funding from Procter & Gamble. In the 1980s, she also worked as a consultant on an educational video funded in part by Ortho Pharmaceuticals.

Bruce M. Psaty, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Medicine and Epidemiology
Cardiovascular Health Research Unit
University of Washington
Seattle , WA
Dr. Psaty reports receiving no money from any pharmaceutical company to conduct research. He has attended meetings sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, with reimbursement for travel and expenses. He has served as an expert witness on matters pertaining to prescription drugs, with compensation from attorneys representing drug companies.

Sunil V. Rao, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Duke University Medical Center
Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Rao reports receiving research funding from The Medicines Company and Cordis Corp. He reports payments for lectures to doctors from Sanofi-Aventis, The Medicines Company, and Cordis Corp. He has served on the advisory boards of Sanofi-Aventis and Cordis. He is a faculty member and researcher at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, which conducts clinical trials on drugs with funding from government and pharmaceutical companies.

Claus G. Roehrborn, MD
Professor and Chairman
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Department of Urology
Dallas, TX
Dr. Roehrborn reports receiving funding from several pharmaceutical companies to conduct research and discuss his clinical experience. He also reports receiving gifts from pharmaceutical companies valued at more than $500.

Robert Rosenheck, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry
Yale Medical School
Director, VA Northeast Program Evaluation Center
New Haven, CT.
Dr. Rosenheck reports receiving research support from the following pharmaceutical companies: Eli Lilly, Janssen, Astra-Zeneca, and Wyeth. He also reports being a consultant to GlaxoSmithKline, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Janssen.

Michael Schatz, M.D.
Chief, Allergy Department
Southern California Permanente Medical Group
San Diego, CA
Dr. Schatz reports receiving research funding from various pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Sanofi-Aventis. He also reports speaking, for a fee, at conferences sponsored in whole or in part by pharmaceutical companies.

Sheldon Sheps, M.D.
Emeritus Professor of Medicine
Division of Hypertension
The Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
Dr. Sheps has received no funding from any pharmaceutical company for any purpose for the past 15 years. Prior to that, he received occasional research funding.

Michael H. Silber, M.B., Ch.B.
Co-Director, Sleep Disorder Center, Mayo Clinic
Professor of Neurology
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Rochester, MN
Dr. Silber reports receiving no funding or financial support from any pharmaceutical company for any purpose.

Gregory E. Simon, M.D. MPH
Investigator, Center for Health Studies-Behavioral Health Service
Group Health Cooperative
Seattle, WA
Dr. Simon reports research funding support from Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Abbott Labs, and Wyeth Ayerst.

Matthew Sorrentino, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Section of Cardiology
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Chicago, Ill.
Dr. Sorrentino has in the past received funding from Pfizer, Merck, Ciba-Geigy, Parke-Davis and Merck to conduct research. He has given lectures sponsored by several large drug companies, including Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Schering-Plough and AstraZeneca.

Emer M. Smyth, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Dr. Smyth reports no funding from the pharmaceutical industry for any purpose.

William W. Storms, M.D.
Clinical Professor
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Director, The William Storms Allergy Clinic
Colorado Springs, CO
Dr. Storms reports receiving research funding from various pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novartis, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, and Sanofi-Aventis. He has served as a consultant to and on the speaker's bureau of several of the same companies.

Scott Stroup, M.D., MPH
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Medicine
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Stroup reports being a consultant to: Eli Lilly, Janssen, Astra-Zeneca, and Pfizer. He has spoken at events sponsored by Lilly and Pfizer.

Stewart J. Tepper, M.D.
Director, The New England Center for Headache (Stamford, CT)
Assistant Clinical Professor, Neurology
Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, CT.
Dr. Tepper reports receiving research funds and lecture and speaking fees from several major pharmaceutical manufacturers, including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novartis and Pfizer.

Gerald W. Volcheck, M.D.
Consultant, Division of Allergic Disease
The Mayo Clinic
Rochester , MN
Dr. Volcheck is currently a principle investigator on a study of an allergy drug. The multi-center study is being funded by Genentech. He reports no other recent funding from pharmaceutical companies for research or speaking.

Barry D. Weiss, M.D.
Professor, Dept. of Family and Community Medicine
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Tucson, AZ
Dr. Weiss reports previous funding from pharmaceutical companies for participation in research on several drugs. He also reports serving on a paid advisory panel related to the development of drugs to treat urinary incontinence. He has a current grant from Pfizer to conduct research in the area of health literacy.

Dissemination Partners

The Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ Project has worked with numerous organizations to raise public awareness about the project and to help consumers learn how they can get better value for their prescription drug dollar. These include national and local organizations, senior and community groups, labor unions, employers, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefit managers. The national organizations listed below are among those who have helped us spread the word.

Organization	Web site
AARP	http://drugsavings.aarp.org
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder/CHADD	https://www.chadd.org
National Center for Farmworker's Health (NCFH)	http://www.ncfh.org
National Urban League (NUL)	http://www.nul.org
Prescription Policy Choices (PPC)	http://www.policychoices.org
Medicare Rights	http://www.medicarerights.org
SnapForSeniors	http://www.snapforseniors.com
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4a)	http://www.n4a.org
Medco	http://www.medcohealth.com

Drug Effectiveness Review Project

In 2001, the Oregon state legislature established a bold program to review the comparative effectiveness of drugs in various therapeutic categories. The program was dubbed the Drug Effectiveness Review Project or DERP. As of early 2008, the project had expanded to 13 states.

The project provides a comprehensive independent review of the scientific literature and evidence on the effectiveness, safety and adverse effects of the drugs in each category. A team of physicians and researchers coordinate the reviews, working in partnership with experts across the country. Each of the participating states helps fund the reviews, and the results are posted on the DERP Web site. States use the results to shape prescription drug coverage choices for their Medicaid programs.

The Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ project is designed, in part, to bring the DERP findings to the public at large. In addition, one of our project's consultants has been a DERP leader and helps us translate the DERP findings for consumers.

Evaluation Team

A team of well-known and highly regarded health policy researchers periodically evaluate the Consumer Reports Health Best Buy Drugs™ Project.

Julie Donohue, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Health Policy and Management
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh

Haiden Huskamp, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Health Economics
Department of Health Care Policy
Harvard Medical School

Joel Weissman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine (Health Policy)
Harvard Medical School and Partners Institute for Health Policy
Massachusetts General Hospital

Michael Fischer, M.D., M.S.
Instructor in Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Associate Physician, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics
Brigham & Women's Hospital

Ira Wilson, M.D., M.Sc.
Associate Professor
Tufts New England Medical Center