Re: prescription meds what are they
- From: "Roman Bystrianyk" <rbystrianyk@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 3 Jun 2006 16:17:00 -0700
The way medicine is currently practiced has huge problems that need to
be addressed. A recent article in JAMA called for a major changed to
deal with these problems.
"Ultimately, the implementation of these proposals will substantially
reduce the need for external regulation to safeguard against
market-driven conflicts of interest, and the medical profession will
reaffirm very publicly its commitment to put the interests of patients
first."
Roman Bystrianyk, "Curbing corruption in medicine", Health Sentinel,
April 4, 2006,
Pharmaceutical companies spend between $12 and $18 billion every year
marketing to physicians and residents. This amount of money includes
approximately 60 million annual visits by pharmaceutical
representatives as well as most of the $1.5 billion spent annually on
continuing medical education.
In the January 25th issue of Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA), 11 authors of a paper call for a reexamination of
health industry practices that create conflicts of interest throughout
the medical field. Financial conflicts of interest occur when doctors
deviate from their professional obligations for economic or other
personal gain.
"Approximately 90% of 21 billion marketing budget of the
pharmaceutical industry continues to be directed at physicians, despite
a dramatic increase in direct-to consumer advertising." In 2000, the
pharmaceutical and medical device industry sponsored over 300,000
events specifically for physicians. Industry also contracts with many
doctors to serve on advisory boards. The obvious purpose of all these
actions is clearly for drug companies to promote the use of their
products.
It's long been assumed by many that doctors can remain objective if
the cost of the gifts is small. However, social science research shows
that the desire to reciprocate for even low cost gifts is a powerful
force on behavior. "Individuals receiving gifts are often unable to
remain objective; they reweigh information and choices in light of the
gift. The rate of drug prescriptions by physicians increases
substantially after they see sales representatives, attend
company-supported symposia, or accept samples." Unfortunately,
studies show that the overwhelming majority of these influences "had
negative results on clinical care."
The authors call for a major reform in the way business and medicine is
conducted.
1. A complete ban on all gifts of any value, free meals, payment for
traveling to and time spent at meetings, and in addition to payment for
participation for CME [Continuing Medical Education] from drug and
medical device companies.
2. Providing drug samples directly to doctors needs to be prohibited.
This should be replaced with a system that distances the company and
its products from doctors.
3. Groups overseeing the purchase of drugs and medical devices should
exclude all doctors with any financial relationships with companies.
4. More stringent regulation on companies that provide continuing
medical education.
5. Faculty at academic medical centers should not be members of speaker
bureaus for medical device or drug companies. "Speaker bureaus are an
extension of manufacturers' marketing apparatus."
The authors conclude that if these measures are put into place that,
"decisions by physicians on which prescriptions to write and which
device to use might become more evidence-based; medical societies'
practice guidelines might become less subject to bias. A greater
reliance on objective sources for accurate up-to-date information would
also promote better patient outcomes and total expenditures on
prescription drugs might decline."
"Ultimately, the implementation of these proposals will substantially
reduce the need for external regulation to safeguard against
market-driven conflicts of interest, and the medical profession will
reaffirm very publicly its commitment to put the interests of patients
first."
SOURCE: JAMA, January 25, 2006
vernon wrote:
Did you ever wonder why Pharms put full page ads in newspapers and full ads
on T.V.
A new study shows that about 10% of the prescriptions written by Doctors are
a result of patients asking for it. This, especially with anti depressants.
WOW, that's millions returned on ad costs.
What does that say?
Prescription regimen is near useless. If there were no need for
prescriptions we would probably see about the same results. Some people
taking what is suggested by ads.
Oh, yes the study showed that in almost all cases, the "Doctor" issued no
warning or consultation, just wrote the prescription.
NEAT, HUH?
.
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- From: vernon
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