[Lady]

Check this career woman out. She was a drug rep and admits she and all the drug reps pushed drugs on the doctors, our Neuros too, and their patients suffered or some died. Even children. Must see and hear her talk.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOW8LNU2hFE

[Jomar]

I've thought that for years!

Very few prescribing MDs research the meds themselves, and even fewer will dig deeper to find the real facts. IMO

This is one of the great things about the internet - at least we can go online and do some of our own research now instead of being kept in the dark about what is true or not.

[Lady]

Did you notice she did not, or could not, on the Tube, tell people about the freebies that go along with prescribing these drugs. Doctors have said that in public, but probably due to legal issues she might get sued for acknowledging giving money or trips as incentives, shall we say

Many doctors are not like that, they are sincere and maybe too smart to except gifts, but many do take what they can.

Even the doctors staff love visiting reps to come in. They get freebies too. Smaller things like pens, pencils, pads, tissues, soaps for the bathroom, paper clip dispensers and lots of candies, fruit baskets, a catered lunch I saw at one of my doctors, and cookie deliveries around the holidays. I have seen it all, many times.

How they down-play the bad side-effects of drugs they push, is the worst criminal behavior, IMO.

Yes, true. The Internet can help many of us, but some people in nursing homes, or live without funding for Internet services, and those who believe their doctor, because their doctor said to take this and that and don't ask why, really gets to me.

Some doctors kick you to the curb if you don't take their suggestions of meds. I argue with all my doctors, I really hate taking medication. Unless it is a must, I do without it.

[Blessings2You]

Makes me remember my Mom, who lived 2 1/2 hours away. We'd be on the phone and she'd say, "The doctor gave me a new pill that's supposed to do...something. It's a pink pill. Or is that one your father's? Oh, I hope I didn't take your father's pill." Even if they'd had a computer, there's no way THEY could have done their own research.

And I have a relative who is always sending me "research" links...from the equivalent of "WeHaveTheSecret.com" or "Quacks-R-Us.com". Ugh.

Thank God some of us have the protection of being able to research, but as Lady pointed out, there are so many who can't...and they are at the mercy of those who would take advantage.

[mrsD]

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.

[Dejibo]

Did you see what she said about her own experience with Xanax?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEIg1...feature=relmfu

I have often wondered about some of this stuff. Now that I am DMD free I want badly to bump several other meds off my daily list. I dont mind taking as needed, but to take it constantly upsets me.

Thanks for this!

[Kitty]

Scary stuff! I question everything and look everything up. I never read the drug companies web site. Why bother? They won't give you objective info.

[barb02]

The clinic (HMO) that I belong to does not allow doctors to accept free samples of drugs from the drug rep's. Neither are they allowed to accept free gifts.