The drug companies also pay doctors $$ to call other doctors and suggest their meds.

Things are changing slowly. Many companies are laying off drug salespeople. But it is still a long road to reform IMO.

The downright lying or lying by omission is rampant. Drug companies hire now slick non-medical sales people who dress well and have charisma. When I was in college, drug reps were pharmacists or doctors. Now the reps are people who will do what they are told and not quibble with ethics or balk at lying.
They also don't hire pharmacists any more!

On 60 minutes there was a memo regarding Vioxx put up right on the screen with suggestions to deflect any doctor questions about cardiac issues. Some doctors did worry about Vioxx's potential for harm, but they were deflected and lied to. It was on TV for all to see! Besides, if the drug companies outright conceal data until their patent expires, they stand to make alot of money. And any fines their incur are offset by huge profits.
The latest record was 1.2 billion paid by Pfizer for Celebrex deception. That was really chump change for them...though.
And Celebrex is still available--which is some rotten miracle.