On the Hooked: Ethics, Medicine and Pharma blog, Dr Howard Brody expanded his focus a bit to include medical device companies.

He posted about the ongoing investigations of orthopedic surgeons' financial relationships to the manufacturers of prosthetic joints.

He cited an unnamed senior general surgeon who "did not think that anywhere near as much real 'consulting' ever got done as cash flowed into docs' pockets." This story keeps bubbling just below the surface.

Stay tuned, as I suspect there will be more developments.