Ontario is considering requiring any payments private drug companies make to doctors – to be disclosed publicly.

Consultations have begun with patient groups, health-care providers and the pharmaceutical and medical device industries – about the regulations that govern such payments.

Patients in America, Australia and some European countries can already go online – to see how much money their health-care providers have received from pharmaceutical companies.

Ten major pharmaceutical companies released figures last month –  showing they had paid nearly 50 million to Canadian health-care professionals and organizations last year.

There are already some restrictions in Ontario on the types of benefits that can be received – but disclosure isn’t always required.