[pachyderm]

New York Times Web site article:

American Psychiatric ***'n Faces Scrutiny Over Drug Industry Ties

It is nice to see that the US senate is taking notice, but, I am not surprised this relationship exists. It isn't just with Psychiatrists either. Family physicians will pass out free samples of medications and quickly grab a prescription pad for absolutely anything before they discuss other options with a patient.

[(JD)]

side note: I think the medical field was looked at a year or two ago, with the drug reps relationships, the "use" of their monies by MDs for office parties, outside promotions etc.

When I'm in an elevator with a drug rep (happens all the time) I ask them what the drug du jour is. Do you know they have stock...huge storage rooms (like you rent for your extra household stuff) filled with samples, and that they are not regulated...with who they give how much to and how much they have in inventory? If they get sick, they just take one of their samples. Now THAT'S what needs to be investigated too! imho

[kim_johnson]

'bout time. thanks for posting that patchy.

[splitimage]

I work in the medical devices industry and all the devices manufactures belong to an over arching organization called Medec which establishes ethical standards for dealing with Dr.'s and stuff. But I'm amazed at how much money we spend each year that goes directly back to the Dr. or the hospital, that's actually written into the tender contract. And don't even get me started on sending Dr's to major international conferences, sponsoring golf tournaments etc. Some of this is normal in any business, but I definitely see more of it than in other industries I've worked in.

---splitimage

[kim_johnson]

The problem is that the whole frigging bandwagon idea of 'evidence based medicine' is that doctors jolly well should be prescribing medications for patients on the basis of the BEST EVIDENCE.

The parmaceutical companies present themselves as providing 'evidence' or 'information' but given that they cherry pick their data and employ dodgey methodological techniques etc etc etc in order to provide the BEST support for their PRE-EXISTING THEORY rather than being UNBIASED in the search for SCIENTIFIC FACT their efforts consist in MARKETING rather than in INFORMATION.

This filters through into university environments as well where medical company representatives cherry pick their data and write a report that some big-name academic signs his name to (and the thought is the academic gets a publication and the pharma companies get an 'independent' person to endorse their product - win win!!!)

Except for the consumer, of course.

How do you feel knowing that your doctor is more likely to prescribe you x over y in virtue of who brought them dinner last night or what logo on the pen they have been staring at all day or who funded their all expenses trip to greece?

I feel disgusted.

The consumer deserved better...

(And don't give me any ******** of how pharma investment is required for significant advances in medical treatments because the fact is that the MAJORITY of significant advances in medical treatments have come from truely INDEPENDENT researchers who discovered NATURALLY OCCURRING SUBSTANCES were effective and the drug companies spat the dummy because you can't patient a naturally occurring substance - e.g., lithium)....