A new concern about freebies offered to doctors by the drug (I can't spell pharmaceutical this early) companies is making news today. There is a report published next week. These perks can range from a free biro to a slap up meal and even holidays.
The drugs comnpanies are not allowed to advertsise directly to medics so they see this as an inducement to get GP's to order their product.
I am pretty sure that most professionals will take the gifts (within reason) but not let that sway their judgement on which drugs they should prescribe to their patients.
Do you think this is a problem that needs addressing or bona-fide marketing promotion by the pharms.?
Steve
i think the whole thing about people who pay into the NHS via their taxes and NI contributions then have to pay for their perscribed medication anyway.
i know through friends that we have two surgeries in the town i live , go to one with depression for instance and you tend to get a script for a certain med, and the other tends to typically script another.
there are the trade names that are known to all and some gps script those, and then others who give out the cheeper alternatives.
if its on a script and we all pay the same price for that why should we have the cheeper one?
who pays for the actual meds? is the aditional cost passed onto the government?
in that case do the government chase up the gp who keeps scribing the more expensive meds?
sorry im rambling
i dont think the gps should get holidays, meals (as bribes) etc, its not like they are actually selling the drugs, the tax payer is footing the cost i would presume?
xx fem xx
Don't agree with it at all, won't go into too much detail as I'll find myself climbing upon my soap box.
Why should Doctors receive "gifts" in order to place orders with certain companies - surely they should just be doing their job and ordering the medication that's needed at the best possible price, afterall that's what they get paid to do and should not be swayed by the offer of anything.
come to wales lol free perscriptions to all here at the moment not sure if it will last or whether it is just this the welsh asembly incentive to keep voting them in
So we have had " cash for honours ", and now we have " drugs for gifts ".
Sorry but cannot see a difference between either. One is outlawed and the other is not but.....they should both be illegal.
For GP'S to benefit in a financial way, for agreeing to give their drugs to patients is immoral, and giving how much the GP's get already, is a smack in the face to all the patients that walk through their surgery doors..... greedy buggers.
Haven't NICE got something to do with the allocation of medicines?
the problem is not companies promoting thier product.
It is the overiding profit motive.
and where does 'honours' relate to pharmaceuticals?
(rhetorical... I really don't care)
lp
A junior doctor earns a starting salary of £21 391, working 48 or 48 to 56 hours a week.
This does not include the continual study and learning that then goes on in spare time, and the exams, presentations c ase studies etc that have to be done.
It doesn't think about the fact that they can only choose to work in an area of britian such as 'the north east', not a particular hospital in a particular town near their family.
My friend was told that they couldn't guarantee annual leave for his wedding, and working shifts and holidays are only given sometimes with a weeks notice of rotation.
The hours are unsociable, the shifts are tough, and peoples lives are in your hands.
You don't get a christmas bonus, you don't get a paid christmas party etc etc etc.
You have to do 5 years study min, which you are then in debt repaying, your future exams have to be paid for, you have to give up all your free time for work experience.
Yes, everyone knows this is what a doctor does, and yes, as they work up the ladder, the pay is better, the hours are better (sometimes) the holidays are better, but surely a perk here and there wouln't go amiss? they are few and far between in the NHS in my eyes.
I think that it would only be in rare instances that a doctor may be swayed by a drug rep in placing an order, and there is so much more involved in the choice of drugs that i think it highly unlikely a gp would chose on a whim.
We often have drugs reps coming in, and it is a highlight as you know they will bring cakes and nice coffee, and it really is the highlight of the year.
I know plenty of other professions where the highlights are a damn sight larger than a few cakes/pens/cups etc.
in all my years working in general practice (20 ) i dont think ive met a gp who could be bribed with a pad of post it notes or a free sandwich from tesco.
And this is what is on offer and now drugs companies are in recession too.
I'm in the medical industry and the NHS has for years tried to clamp down on this, BUT many GP's and hospital Dr's enjoy many perks from companies (not just drugs of course, equipment companies are as bad). We do not let our staff give away freebies but NHS staff expect entertainment.
When a Dr has to rescribe a brug there are usually a number of options and this is the decision the reps are trying to influence. The reps themselves have a crap deal too, loads of pressure and small areas to sell into, so they will try anything (and have large budgets to spend.
I am new here so sorry if this is a bit long-winded!
:D:D:D:D