Vanderbilt (University / Hospital) Bans Most Gifts From Drug Firms

[NashVegas]

Source: Tennessean

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has decided to stop doctors, faculty members and others who work on campus from accepting meals or gifts from the drug industry in a bid to reduce the companies' influence on patient care and trim spending on drugs.

Under a new conflicts of interest policy, most employees and students would no longer be allowed to accept lunches, pens with logos or other freebies from pharmaceutical companies or other suppliers.
....
Employees and students also would be barred from wearing any clothing with the name or logo of a non-Vanderbilt health-care service or product. And the drug companies could no longer sponsor or attend conferences or continuing medical education classes on Vanderbilt's campus.

The new policy would be phased in by July 1, administrators said. The goal is to reduce the marketing influence of the drug industry, which spends $25 billion a year on promotions to influence patients and doctors who write the prescriptions.

Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/BUSINESS01/801310366

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This is fantastic. Not perfect (read the rest) but a good start.

[blondeatlast]

1. EXCELLENT! Add them to the

As a frequent visitor to doctors (two choronic health problems) I can hardly hide my contempt for the drug reps. I literally sit there uncomfortably and will occasionally offer dirty looks. They are arrogant and of course have utterly perverted how medicines are prescribed (I took Vytorin until a couple of weeks ago, yanno?).

Dressed to the nines and they've actually muscled their way in front of me at the receptionist's desk. I've told all of my docs about "No Free Lunch" but I think the goodies are simply too good to resist--but I insist they give me generics and non-patented formulas whenever possible.

Anyone who rails against Big Pharma needs to know about "Np Free Lunch" and encourage their medical professionals to adhere to it.

No Free Lunch: http://nofreelunch.org/index.htm

(Heh, heh--my sister is a pharmacist. They are lucky if they get offered a pen...)

[Phred42]

2. A Positive Development! Thank You

Maybe this will start a trend so pass this article around.

[Javaman]

3. Chip away at them. And little by little their power will vanish.

I'm a firm believer in the death by a thousand cuts for these corporated whores.

[Liberals Rule]

4. I work there...

Now IF they could spend some real money and update their medical equipment! Their Blood pressure machines and vital sign machines are at least 10 years old and in dire need of replacement. I have great pride that I work there..but very aggravated that they insist on skimping on the important things in which we depend upon for accuracy that is outdated and worn out.

[goforit]

5. Yah.... like out dated thermometers too.

Can't trust if they are accurrately taking the right tempeature.

[colonel odis]

6. vanderbilt certainly has its problems. however, they took spectacular care

of my wife when she was dying. i switched to a vanderbilt doc for my primary care. and my mother has a chronic eye condition she sees a fantastic vanderbilt specialist for.

that vumc would do this really doesn't surprise me. they appear to have a lot of integrity, something sorely lacking in the health care field and a blinding contrast in a city like nashville, which is also home to hca, one of the biggest whorehouses in the medical industry.

in the last 10 years, vanderbilt has also begun to take a commanding share of the market here. people know it's a good place where they'll get the best care.

my .02.

[Tippy]

7. My surgery sceduled for Feb 4 at Vanderbilt

Was canceled yesterday because they found something that needed further testing. I have nothing but good things to say about Vanderbilt. Very professional all the way, never noticed any marketing influences but will be looking on future visits. However did hear on the news last night the Childrens Hospital ER is being bombarded with cases of flu that could be taken care of with a DR's office visit...This I am sure of is a result of no or little insurance.