Advances in medicine and medical devices have revolutionized the practice of health care, curing certain diseases and improving the quality of life. However, the $12 billion spent annually on pharmaceutical marketing has led to real and perceived conflicts of interest. Research has shown that medical decision-making based on marketing rather than independent scientific evidence can compromise patient care, increase health care costs and erode public confidence in the medical profession. The stakes are high: National spending on prescription drugs is nearing $200 billion per year, growing at double the rate of other health services.