Dr. Polly was placed under scrutiny when it was revealed he failed to disclose payments he received from Medtronic in 2006 when he testified before a Senate committee.
In his 2006 research, a University of Minnesota committee asked Dr. Polly if another product was available, as he was receiving consulting fees from Medtronic. Dr. Polly stated in recent comments that no other product was available, as Stryker Corp.’s similar bone growth product was under a “humanitarian device exemption,” limiting its sales to 4,000 a year, according to the report.
Sen. Grassley said in the letter that the exemption did not include animal studies, such as Dr. Polly’s, so the “point appears to be misleading.” Lawyers for Dr. Polly said the surgeon wanted to research a product that would be commercially available and not restricted as Stryker’s product would be, according to the report.
Sen. Grassley also questioned if the university’s conflict-of-interest policies fully monitor its researchers. Officials from the university said in the report that they are looking into these policies and hopes to make changes soon.
In addition to the University of Minnesota, Sen. Grassley sent letters looking for more information “pertinent” to Dr. Polly to Minneapolis-based Team Spine-Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.
Read the Press’ report about Sen. Grassley’s investigation into Dr. Polly.
