New Survey Shows Doctors Taking Fewer Freebies from Drug Companies
A recent national survey conducted by a group of Boston researchers found that fewer doctors are taking handouts, such as drug samples, gifts, and all-expense paid trips from drug companies.
The survey shows declines across the board in doctor’s ties to drug companies. The number of physicians paid by drug companies to attend meeting in exotic locations sharply declined from 35 percent in 2004 to just 18 percent this year. Declines were also reported in the number of doctors speaking on behalf of drug companies, consulting for pharmaceutical firms, and participating in drug company advisory boards.
Still, some highly influential financial relationships between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry remain. This is troubling for patients because doctors who have financial ties to the industry are more likely to prescribe brand-name over generic medication or recommend certain products from gift-givers. Almost 84 percent of U.S. doctors accepted money or gifts from drug and medical device makers last year, compared with 94 percent in 2004.
In recent years a growing number of medical schools and hospitals have adopted policies attempting to restrict the relationships between doctors and the industry. The voluntary guidelines forbid physicians from accepting free food and drugs and limit company representatives to clinical areas