Quote:
Originally Posted by Chi-Town
Putting aside GE'S pooh-poohing the value of sales reps, he does have a valid point in that patients get cured by doctors writing prescriptions. But in actuality patients get cured by taking the prescribed drug. And chances weren't that good that the patient would leave the doctor's office with the script in hand and head to the pharmacy. The rate of unfilled prescriptions was alarming. Lucky for us electronic prescriptions are now the norm. They are sent by the doctor to the pharmacy of the patient's choice, and the patient is called to to pick it up. And called again if not done in a timely manner. And when a patient has the prescription in hand there is a high likelihood of compliance.
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I think you may have taken my sales rep comment wrong. One of my best friends, actually almost an adopted son is a drug rep. My nephew is a drug rep. They go to week long meetings to learn everything about the drug they "sell". But make no mistake about it, they are not there to "educate", they are there to promote the use of their product. Much of their training focuses on how their drug is "better" than their competitor's, which is usually a subtle difference, so their "sales pitch" is important
They are also under very strict federal regulations---they cannot speak about any off label use of their drug, even if it is common practice. The days of taking doctors on golf trips to resorts are long over. (Actually, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy wrote the final legislation while he was skiing in the Alps courtesy of U.S. Steel for a twist of hypocrisy). They can't even give out pens anymore, which was at least useful. They do sponsor lunches and dinners as long as the focus is speaking about their drug, and have to keep precise records.
As far as compliance goes, most patients take the Rx to the pharmacy, but some refuse to fill it after they hear the cost. Others actually buy it, take it home, read the "side effects" and then not take it. We didn't notice much of a difference before and after we moved to electronic prescribing 5 years ago