Doctors and Drug Companies
Many people question the relationship physicians have with the drug companies. The laws have changed drastically and for the past 5-10 years, there are very few perks provided by drug companies compared to 10-20 years ago.
The New England Journal of Medicine had a recent survey and reported that Cardiologists are more than twice as likely as Family physicians to take payments from drug companies for professional services such as consulting, speaking at professional meetings or enrolling patients in clinical trial.
The study showed that 94 percent of the 3167 physicians questioned, reported some kind of relationship with drug companies; 83 percent accepted food and 78 accepted drug samples whereas only 28 percent performed professional services and accepted monetary reimbursement for the services.
Most family physicians receive advertising in the form of pens and sticky notes and many drug companies provide lunch for the opportunity to sit and give you a “detail” on one or more of their drugs. Most family physicians accept samples for the benefit of their patients who have no insurance and to get patients started on a new drug.
Gone are the days of trips, golf outings, elaborate dinners etc., but the pharmaceutical companies still realize that it is very important to maintain a relationship between their reps and the physicians. The doctor’s pen is still the most important tool used according to the pharmaceutical firms.
The New England Journal of Medicine had a recent survey and reported that Cardiologists are more than twice as likely as Family physicians to take payments from drug companies for professional services such as consulting, speaking at professional meetings or enrolling patients in clinical trial.
The study showed that 94 percent of the 3167 physicians questioned, reported some kind of relationship with drug companies; 83 percent accepted food and 78 accepted drug samples whereas only 28 percent performed professional services and accepted monetary reimbursement for the services.
Most family physicians receive advertising in the form of pens and sticky notes and many drug companies provide lunch for the opportunity to sit and give you a “detail” on one or more of their drugs. Most family physicians accept samples for the benefit of their patients who have no insurance and to get patients started on a new drug.
Gone are the days of trips, golf outings, elaborate dinners etc., but the pharmaceutical companies still realize that it is very important to maintain a relationship between their reps and the physicians. The doctor’s pen is still the most important tool used according to the pharmaceutical firms.
Labels: drug reps, perks, pharmaceutical
posted by Anonymous at 6:40 AM
1 Comments:
I have two sisters-in-law who are pharmaceutical reps, and not to disparrage their trade, but it seems as if they spend more time dropping off catered lunches for their physicians' offices and free Honeybaked Hams coupons than they do working on anything else. C'mon...what other profession gets vendors delivering Panera to their office - free of charge - a couple times a week? We all know the pharmaceutical companies are the most evil of the corporate monsters around - especially given the billions at stake...
I was amazed (astounded?) to learn that pharmaceutical reps can purchase data records showing what prescriptions certain physicians are writing.
And let's be honest, pharmaceuatical companies still pay doctors thousands of dollars as honorariums or "speaking stipends" to show up and talk for 10 minutes at silly little dinner meetings which are essentially BS.
There are plenty of ways to curry favor. Thank GOD the days of golf trips and other perks are behind us. Perhaps now physicians are actually making decisions based on what is best for the patient, not on who can get them the best tee times.
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