I have previously discussed a troubling issue about how pharmaceutical companies pump money into the medical profession in an effort to influence doctors to prescribe their drugs.
My previous post cites a New York Times article which shows how the money that pharmaceutical companies pay to doctors (for things such as speaking fees, lunches, and travel) can effect the decision making process and lead to the prescription of unnecessary or inappropriate medication which puts patient safety at risk.
The influence that drug companies have on doctors continues to be extremely troubling.
A recent segment on “Where We Live” also addresses this issue.
In this article, a WNPR journalist reports that drug companies spend millions of dollars marketing to doctors, which includes direct monetary payments as well as non-monetary perks.
As a result, one doctor interviewed for the segment named Dr. Steve Smith, says his community health clinics have decided not to allow any drug representatives to solicit at his facilities.
Dr. Smith feels this prohibition is necessary because he says doctors may feel indebted to the drug companies that provide them with free things, even something as small as a free lunch.
While contact between doctors and drug companies may be inevitable, it needs to be regulated carefully so that doctors do not put financial or personal incentives – even subconsciously – over the best interests of their patients.
Dr. Smith suggested, for example, that the drug reps should come by appointment and outside of the patient care arena.
Another medical professional interviewed by WNPR named Dr. William White, from the University of Connecticut medical school, agreed and explained that drug company reps are currently not allowed in any of their teaching areas.
For more information on where the drug company money is going, you can check out ProPublica’s website.
This website is a great way to browse available information on these issues and become more informed about this topic.
For example, the ProPublica website indicates that during the most recent 12 month period, drug companies have paid healthcare providers in New York over sixty-million dollars ($60,145,727.00).
Remember, this figure may be too low since it reflects the total payments that have actually been disclosed.
The Where We Live radio show includes an interview with a ProPublica reporter about the public disclosure of this information.
The journalist says the response from doctors to the disclosure of this type of financial data has been mixed.
Some doctors clearly prefer to keep this information hidden.
Fortunately, most universities and their hospitals have specifically prohibited doctors from giving speeches that have been prepared by drug companies.
However, until recently these rules have been self-policed.
As a result, there have been doctors who have gone ahead and given these canned speeches anyway.
Now with websites and organizations like ProPublica, as well as new legal regulations from the national health care law, it is getting harder for them to get away with it.
How much do you think drug company marketing is affecting patient care?
Can doctors still make the right decisions even when being bombarded by drug company marketing?
Is this something you would talk to your doctor about at your next check up?
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A column caught my eye earlier this month which discusses in detail the problems patients are having obtaining adequate information about their own care. In
In an ideal world, doctors and other medical practitioners would be focused solely on patient care. Their single priority would be patient health and all
Years of Abuse: 1987 – 2016
Brief:
Robert Hadden, a disgraced Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who worked for Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was criminally convicted in 2016 of sexually exploiting and abusing patients under the guise of medical care.
Hadden used his position of authority and trust to sexually exploit women and girls for nearly three decades as a Columbia University physician.
All the while, Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital administrators turned their backs and ignored reports of Hadden’s abuse, gaslighting patients and the public.
Read More:
Years of Abuse: 1979 – 2022
Brief:
David H. Broadbent is a former OB/GYN under criminal investigation and facing civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of patients.
Broadent worked at multiple medical facilities in the Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City, UT areas.
These facilities included Intermountain Healthcare’s Utah Valley Hospital, MountainStar Healthcare’s Timpanogos Hospital, other Utah health care providers, and he also had adverse action taken against his medical license back in 1990.
Read More:
Years of Abuse: 1990 – 2016
Read More: University of Southern California & Predator George Tyndall
Years of Abuse: 1961 – 1996
Brief:
22 predator teachers and administrators, over the course of 35 years.
Years of Abuse: 1960 – 1982
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