In 2007, Eric Heiligenstein, a University of Wisconsin-Madison psychiatrist, worked as a speaker for Pfizer, giving talks to other doctors and health care professionals about the smoking-cessation drug Chantix, which has been under increased scrutiny. Chantix has been associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, blackouts and serious injuries.
Heiligenstein put in 14 days for Pfizer and was paid $10,000 to $20,000. Heiligenstein also gave paid talks for Pfizer in 2006.