Thomas Errico, MD, and Jeffrey Goldstein, MD, of the New York University Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Disease and Richard Balderston, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia were all cited for committing professional misconduct when they failed to disclose their financial interests to their research institutions, according to the report. According to the medical board, the surgeons received payments associated with major product achievements, including FDA approval for the ProDisc spinal device.
Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Errico also failed to report the financial payments exceeding $10,000 from device companies when they renewed their medical licenses, according to the report.
Dr. Errico stated that the inconsistencies associated with his financial relationship reporting were unintentional, possibly the result of clinical errors, and claimed he reported his financial interest in the FDA study in 2005. In a New York Times article, Dr. Goldstein also claimed the inconsistencies were unintentional. Dr. Balderson did not comment on this particular case, but he previously said his role in the research was limited, so his understanding was that he didn’t need to make any disclosures, according to the report.
The New Jersey Board of Medicine assessed $60,000 for civil penalties and $17,500 in cost reimbursements against Dr. Errico, and $30,000 in civil penalties and $10,000 in cost reimbursements against Dr. Goldstein.
Read the Reuters report on the disclosures.
Read the New York Times report on the penalties.
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