Posted on 07/13/2008 5:51:54 PM PDT by neverdem
WASHINGTON — The pens, pads, mugs and other gifts that drug makers have long showered on doctors will be banned from pharmaceutical marketing campaigns under a voluntary guideline that the industry is expected to announce Thursday.
The industry’s Code on Interactions with Health Care Professionals will ask the chief executives of large drug makers to certify in writing that “they have policies and procedures in place to foster compliance with the code.” The code was written by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the industry’s trade association.
But the code provides no definite limits on the millions of dollars spent on speaking and consulting arrangements that drug makers have forged with tens of thousands of doctors. Nor does it ban the routine provision of office breakfasts and lunches, or the occasional invitation to educational dinners at fancy restaurants.
“Informative, ethical and professional relationships between health care providers and America’s pharmaceutical research companies are instrumental to effective patient care,” said Richard T. Clark, chief executive of Merck and chairman of the trade association.
Some industry critics praised the new rules.
“We’ve been pushing to see reforms like this for some time now,” said Senator Herb Kohl, a Democrat from Wisconsin. “Consumers will undoubtedly be the beneficiaries of these industry changes.” Mr. Kohl has co-sponsored a bill to require drug and medical device companies to publicly disclose payments to doctors of $500 or more.
Other critics dismissed the new rules, which are entirely voluntary. “It strikes me as an attempt to persuade people against doing anything that’s serious,” said Sharon Treat, executive director of the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices.
A growing number of states have passed or are considering legislation requiring drug makers to disclose payments to doctors. Minnesota has banned gifts to doctors valued at more than...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
OH THANK YOU Sen. Kohl and Democrats for stamping out the scourge of Claritin ball pens and Acifex notepads.
Do-nothing Congress? Even worse. They are obsessed with trifles.
If they ban KrispyCremes there will be thousands and thousands of saddened clinic nurses and staff.
I have no problem with drug companies making a profit. It is necessary to have them come up with new and useful products. but something about visiting Dr.s offices just doesn't strike me as right.
I have noticed his prescription pads always have some pharmaceutical companies name on them.
A voluntary guideline? Sounds like a decision made in accounting without consulting marketing.
Another thing to consider is the preprinted Rx pads do have appropriate doses for the vast majority of patients, leaving less room for doctor error and writing illegibility. A mixed patient benefit at best.
Seven-times-more-likely is not insignificant.
I have no problem with drug companies making a profit. It is necessary to have them come up with new and useful products. but something about visiting Dr.s offices just doesn't strike me as right.
They are bringing free samples for the doc to try for a new drug or a new indication for an old drug. They bring papers from the professional literature to bolster their spiel.
I have noticed his prescription pads always have some pharmaceutical companies name on them.
Where do you live? In NY, prescription pads come from Albany. Those are probably post it notes touting a drug.
It’s called capitalism and it’s the biggest reason there is enough money to fund research to produce drugs to treat your ailments in the first place.
The doctors certainly aren’t going to take the time to go to the pharmaceutical offices (except for occasional seminars and junkets which have been mostly abandoned thanks to busybody government)....so the reps go to the doctors.
I think it is free Enterprise and I already said I support it. I certainly don’t want the government to tell them they can’t visit Dr.s. It does strike me that free gifts tend to make the Dr.prescribe that medicine rather than another which might be just as good and cheaper.
Fair enough - it’s only anecdotal evidence but I have friends who are doctors, pharmacists and pharmaceutical reps.
Over time everyone has become immune to the flood over time of pads, pens and other cheap trinkets. It just keeps them from going to Staples.
The ‘good’ drugs are still the good drugs and in many cases their hands are tied anyway - they must prescribe and/or issue generic substitutes due to insurance or Medicare regulations - so the advertising is all for naught!
PhD Chemists, Patent Lawyers aren’t exactly cheap
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