Resident Physicians Surveyed on Drug Rep Practices
In a survey conducted by StopPagingMe.com, of more than 100 resident physicians, it was found that more than half of those asked found drug reps to be 'irritating.' The majority of young doctors also found their tactics to have no influence on their prescribing practices but have no problem accepting the freebies often given out by pharmaceutical reps.
(PRWEB) August 5, 2005 -- In a survey conducted by StopPagingMe.com of more
than 100 resident physicians, it was found that more than half of those asked
found drug reps to be "irritating." The majority of young doctors also found
their tactics to have no influence on their prescribing practices but have no
problem accepting the freebies
It is common practice for pharmaceutical
companies like Merck or Pfizer to send sales personnel, "drug reps," into
hospitals and doctors' offices to inform physicians of their latest medications
and how they compare with the competition. While this practice has come under
great scrutiny in recent years, it is still the rule rather than the exception,
especially in competitive drug markets like cardiovascular disease and
diabetes.
Drug reps are known in healthcare circles for their common
practice of bringing lunches and free swag as a way of getting healthcare
professionals to listen to their sales pitch. While hospitals are littered with
pens, pads, and other gimmicks adorned with pharmaceutical logos, this sales
practice seems outdated and juvenile for a field that has moved so far towards
evidence-based medicine.
StopPagingMe.com, which bills itself as The
Online Housestaff Community, has developed into a cultish portal on the web for
young physicians across the country. Their often biting commentary on current
medical news and original articles on everything from investing, to gifts for
doctors, have won them literally thousands of fans.
Their most recent
endeavor into sampling the opinions of the training physician community give an
interesting perspective into the world of drug prescribing practices. Do these
aggressive techniques of simply "getting the name out there," while the doctors
are still young, have an effect on what a patient picks up from the pharmacy?
In a survey of 101 resident doctors about the drug companies' efforts to
sway their opinion, 49 percent said that they see the drug reps at least once
per week, and a full quarter of those surveyed reported that they saw reps on a
daily basis.
While less then half found them "helpful" or "educational,"
significantly more found them "irritating," and nearly 15 percent found their
mere presence "immoral."
Further questioning revealed that more than 25
percent of those participating in the survey believed that drug reps should not
be allowed in the hospital at all. Fifty-four percent appreciated the free food
offered by reps but preferred to do without the education that comes with it.
When asked about whether the doctors-in-training felt guilty about
taking drug company swag, 64 percent said that they did not feel any guilt or
find it unethical in any way.
The “…samples [are] useful for patients,”
that cannot afford them otherwise, quoted one respondent.
On the other
hand, 10 percent answered that they never take the drug company freebies and
find the practice to be “unethical,” and “should be illegal.”
The most
important question of the survey tested the drug companies’ efforts directly.
They asked the residents if they ever feel the influence of the drug reps when
writing prescriptions for patients. While 54 percent said that they “never” feel
the impact of free lunches and colorful pamphlets, 35 percent answered that it
occasionally may influence their decision of what medication to
choose.
“It makes me think of the various options out there,” quoted a
participant.
The drug reps “… only influence my decision if the drug
would be beneficial to my patient. I would NOT prescribe a drug if I question
its efficacy in a patient just because I was given a free lunch and a
gadget.”
Those young doctors who remain opposed to the drug reps’
presence in the clinics, private practices and hospitals across the country,
wrote vehemently about the weak-minded physician that would allow someone of
much lesser training and medical background to compromise their medical
management. Words like “never” and “useless” were scattered among clichés like
“I do what’s best for the patient.”
But one, more practical, doctor
mused, “I don't think it has an effect, but I know they wouldn't be there if the
companies didn't know that the freebies and their presence works. They do
studies to be sure their budget is well-spent.”
How true.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb269023.htm