Where are the costs in US prescription drugs/
In 2002, industry association Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, imposed sweeping regulations, trimming the marketing fat by barring freebies like entertainment and "dine and dash" programs, where doctors could get restaurant take-out for the whole family with little or no actual interaction with a sales rep.
Despite the Pharmaceutical industry clamping down on its own marketing extravagance, pharmaceutical companies spent an increasing amount on sales relationships with doctors. In 2004, $7.8 billion was spent on marketing to health professionals, an 18 percent increase over what was spent before the big pharmaceutical makers agreed to a new marketing code, according to IMS Health Inc.
On top of that, almost $16 billion worth of free drug samples was distributed to doctors in 2004, more than twice what was given out five years prior.
Sales reps once showered physicians with lavish gifts and entertainment until the industry clamped down on itself with new, sweeping regulations nearly four years ago.
Some doctors have gone beyond the AMA guidelines, opposing any kind of freebies from sales reps. At NoFreeLunch.org, doctors can pledge to never again accept free lunches and pharmaceutical paraphernalia such as pens, notepads and other office accessories.
However, the question remains how do Doctors find out about new prescription products? One answer is the growing online research material and information. The trick is finding a reliable resource. One reliable resource is DrugStoreBestBuys.info an open source guide to what is available for a range of treatments, plus the best pharmacies with the best prices.
Despite the Pharmaceutical industry clamping down on its own marketing extravagance, pharmaceutical companies spent an increasing amount on sales relationships with doctors. In 2004, $7.8 billion was spent on marketing to health professionals, an 18 percent increase over what was spent before the big pharmaceutical makers agreed to a new marketing code, according to IMS Health Inc.
On top of that, almost $16 billion worth of free drug samples was distributed to doctors in 2004, more than twice what was given out five years prior.
Sales reps once showered physicians with lavish gifts and entertainment until the industry clamped down on itself with new, sweeping regulations nearly four years ago.
Some doctors have gone beyond the AMA guidelines, opposing any kind of freebies from sales reps. At NoFreeLunch.org, doctors can pledge to never again accept free lunches and pharmaceutical paraphernalia such as pens, notepads and other office accessories.
However, the question remains how do Doctors find out about new prescription products? One answer is the growing online research material and information. The trick is finding a reliable resource. One reliable resource is DrugStoreBestBuys.info an open source guide to what is available for a range of treatments, plus the best pharmacies with the best prices.
posted by Clive Wallace at 4:27 AM
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