Doctors get $$ from drug companies
 

A while back I posted that doctors make $$ off writing scrips.

it was met with some debate. :shrug:

Most Doctors Take Money From Drug, Device Companies

well take read here on the topic by NPR.org.

Doctors Who Get More Drug-Company Cash Prescribe More Brand-Name Drugs : Shots - Health News : NPR




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might be surprised at how many free samples are given out by doctors to get you to switch to a more favorable product. Speaking from personal experience.

My experience says this is B.S. Insurance companies always want to substitute the generic instead of the brand-name drug.

And if Medicare doesn't insist on the generic, then shame on those who drive it and want it that way.

This is an area that should be consumer driven anyway, to incentivize shopping for better price with one's own health savings account (HSA).

Ever notice while you are in the waiting room and a drug sales rep rep come in, they are ushered in on the spot while you wait?

they also bring food for all the staff?


So the drug dealers take priority over patients

Ever think that in some cases the drug sales rep is a front line educator to the doctors keeping them up to date on the latest treatments?

Sure a sales rep without a doctorate is going to teach a doctor.

you have to kidding right?



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If they're ushered in before patients doesn't mean they are meeting with the doctor.

All the doctors I know would much rather treat patients and send them on their way in good shape so the dr. him/herself can go home after very long days and nights amidst suffering.

This shows total lack of insight to this subject.

I am surprise that so many people are surprised because RX sales people and doctors have been exchanging information for many years now. Indeed some doctors have invested in some of these companies. This arrangement isn't any different than any other industry where a sales people or vendors etc canvas for business.
The problem arises if a doctor or businessman makes quid pro quo arrangement that create conflicts of interests or breaches from fiduciary agents. I was a fiduciary and would not accept any favors or gifts sometimes not even a cup of coffee to spur if the appearance of a conflict of interest. A doctor guided by ethical standards and his/her conscience would confer with such RX sales people to get the best RX products for his patients

Over the years I have met several women who were drug reps. They ALL were hot looking.

If a doctor's office owns a scanner such as a CT scanner they have to pay for and make money from the device. Studies have shown that patients seeing scanner owning physicians will get more scans, hence more irradiation and ultimately more cancers.

edited and added: Dangers of CT Scans and X-Rays - Consumer Reports

Cancer risk in 680 000 people exposed to computed tomography scans in childhood or adolescence: data linkage study of 11 million Australians | The BMJ

It's a beautiful day in the Villages, so I think I'll respond to this nonsense politely:

Speaking from 10,000 times as much personal experience, patients are very happy to receive free samples, some even come to the office just to ask for them. I was happy to give them out, since they do no good sitting on a shelf. Did these samples influence my choice of medication---absolutely not. And what doctor wants to coerce a patient to switch drugs???? Very few, I would think. We are more interested in using meds that work for an individual

Most generics are just as good as branded drugs. Drugs that work by achieving a steady state level in the blood or tissue, however, are subject to variations in bioavailability. This can be accounted for, but unfortunately the retail pharmacies switch generic manufacturers as soon as they get a better price.
"Medicare" does not make drug recommendations, and beware of "consumer driven" when a great deal of expertise is required to make an informed decision.

All I can say is please don't get sick (physically)



I hope not

Someone got it right!!!!

I agree. In our office, we did not meet with drug reps or allow them to bring in lunch. If they wanted to leave samples, they were free to do so--at reception

Does not even rate a response

Excellent response. Also good to hear from another doctor I respect.

Doctors get $$ from drug companies
 

I am not a physician, but worked with them my entire career...thousands of them. (No, I was not a drug rep.) GE is completely accurate with his comments.

I think there is one more thing to add though, unless I missed it, many physicians donate sample drugs to free clinics. These clinics, where docs donate their skills and time, typically provide care and drugs to those among us who could not otherwise afford them. I have seen physicians cajole drug reps into asking their companies for antibiotics and other medications so they can give them to the poor.

Keep in mind also that, for more expensive "gifts" like conferences, etc. physicians are required to file reports with the Feds. If you were a doc, would you like to lose your license or your ability to care for Medicare patients by crossing the Feds?


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Thank you Golfing Eagles for your post based on experience. Nicely done.

I agree!

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.

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

Not just pharmaceuticals here -- devices too. (hip replacements, lenses, heart values, etc.) There are lots of doctors who have either invented or improved pharmaceuticals and implants, or they have the "right stuff" to be product champions for pharma and device companies. They get paid well for their product champion roles. The doctors who are simply "down in the trenches" with patients and pharma/device companies have lived under tight federal rules for the past 10 years. There are far fewer goodies going to doctors now.

not when I was a salesman
 

I used to be a sales rep. It was a tough job and although I did ok, I didn't stay in it long. Usually we were treated poorly. I often sat for an hour only to be told dr. was too busy, but they wanted my goodies. even when we got in, we usually only had a minute or two to do our talk. Sometimes, though, the doc needed a break and welcomed the interruption.

Too bad they all live on Fantasy Island:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Now that's more the norm