With abuse of prescription drugs a growing problem, Vermont is one of a handful of states that require pharmaceutical companies to report how much cash and gifts they give to doctors.

The latest figures show that psychiatrists are the biggest recipients of industry largesse in Vermont, the Burlington Free Press reported July 10.

The disclosure report filed with the state attorney general's office showed that pharmaceutical firms spent $3.1 million in Vermont over a 12-month period -- up $1 million in two years -- to promote their products to doctors. Psychiatrists were the single biggest recipients, with 11 mental-health experts receiving a total of $626,379. The report did not include the value of free samples, scholarships, drug rebates and discounts, and gifts valued at less than $25 each given to doctors.

"It is unacceptable to have these kinds of numbers continue," said Ken Libertoff, executive director of the Vermont Association for Mental Health. "It is unnecessary and unwise, and it raises the profoundly disturbing question of whether health care is patient-centered or market-centered."

Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell agreed. "This report shows, once again, that the pharmaceutical industry has too much influence over the practice of medicine in Vermont."

However, Judy Moore, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly and Co., said that, "Physician compensation is a legitimate expense for the fair market value of consultation, teaching and sharing relevant information about the benefit and risks of our products."

Ken Johnson, a spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, also defended the payments and criticized Vermont's disclosure law, which he said inhibited "access to critical scientific information about the benefits and risks of treatment options."

The report found that drug companies spent the most money promoting drugs for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.