This short article is a ‘must read’ to get an idea of what goes on behind the scenes with drug reps.

Ex-Drug Sales Rep Tells All (abc news)

Included in his prepared remarks, Ahari cites a quote from a senior marketing executive at Parke-Davis: “I want you out there every day selling Neurotonin. Neurotonin is more profitable than Accupril, so we need to focus on Neurotonin. Pain management, now that’s money…. I don’t want to see a single patient coming off Neurotonin before they’ve been up to at least 4,800 milligrams a day. I don’t want to hear that safety crap, either.”

Looking at this issue from an ethical standpoint, my feeling is that doctors should not be accepting anything from drug reps other than literature and time to discuss new medications. I understand the First Amendment right of freedom of speech. But seriously … the freedom of giving cars? swimming pools? vacations? in return for giving patients what might be the wrong drug for them? I truly believe this goes against the doctor providing the correct care for his/her patient. What are your thoughts?