I have to comment. Being a doctor who is constantly inumdated with drug "reps", often 5-10 each day, I take exception to many of your comments. I too have accepted lunches, concert tickets etc. from these people. I have never been offered anything substantial ie trips etc from any of them.
They are selling a product. I, to a limited extent, have control over how much of that product gets sold. I would much rather have been "detailed" by a rep and thus choose that drug than have an insurance company (who, by the way, has its financial future as its primary concern rather then anyone's health) dictate what it should be.
Not to turn this into a tirade but my patients' best interest is ALWAYS my number one priority no matter what I may have been given by a pharmaceutical company. That being said, if I have a choice between two equivalent medications, one from a company that frequently visits my office and one that does not, I will choose the more familiar drug ie the from the rep that has provided "gifts." I do not prescribe anything unnecessarily, nor do I withold meds from people. Insurance companies do.
How many people on this board have not been offered perks of some kind? How many have accepted them? Once again people in the medical profession are being held to a higher standard than the rest of the population. I would put my morals and ethics up against nearly anyone. If I accept something from a drug company, I am being influenced, mistreating my patients and wasting money filling the pockets of drug companies. If someone else does it, it's just a "fringe benefit."
I work 12-15 hours a day, often 7 days a week. If I make a mistake, or even if I don't, a patient with a bad outcome can ruin my livelihood, tarnish my record and jeopardize my very ability to earn a living. There are local, state and national boards that monitor and record my every action. Every complaint ever made against me is made public record, valid or not. I cannot respond publicly to any of them for confidentiality reasons. That doesn't stop them, they are free to make all of the false and unsubstantiated claims they want and I have no recourse. I also cannot refuse care to anyone who walks into my office and requests it. I cannot turn them away regardless of their ability to pay. How many of you, in your professions has to provide free services, products, etc to EVERYONE who request them? I write off thousands of dollars of free care every year. I believe I am entitled to a few "perks" just as all of you are.
Please everyone, climb down off of your moral high horses until you walk in my shoes for 15 or so hours a day.
