As Doctors Write Prescriptions, Drug Companies Write Checks

[PfcHammer]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/business/27DRUG.html?hp=&pagewanted=print&position=

June 27, 2004
As Doctors Write Prescriptions, Drug Companies Write Checks
By GARDINER HARRIS

The check for $10,000 arrived in the mail unsolicited. The doctor who received it from the drug maker Schering-Plough said it was made out to him personally in exchange for an attached "consulting" agreement that required nothing other than his commitment to prescribe the company's medicines. Two other physicians said in separate interviews that they, too, received checks unbidden from Schering-Plough, one of the world's biggest drug companies.

"I threw mine away," said the first doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of concern about being drawn into a federal inquiry into the matter.

Those checks and others, some of them said to be for six-figure sums, are under investigation by federal prosecutors in Boston as part of a broad government crackdown on the drug industry's marketing tactics. Just about every big global drug company — including Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth and Bristol-Myers Squibb — has disclosed in securities filings that it has received a federal subpoena, and most are juggling subpoenas stemming from several investigations.

The details of the Schering-Plough tactics, gleaned from interviews with 20 doctors, as well as industry executives and people close to the investigation, shed light on the shadowy system of financial lures that pharmaceutical companies have used to persuade physicians to favor their drugs.

[PA Democrat]

1. But the pharmaceutical companies will lie and continue to tell us

that our drug prices are so high because of all the money they spend on R&D. In the meantime, they spend 2 to 3 times as much on advertising and this type of "promotion" (AKA bribery).

[Trillo]

2. Isn't this Bribery?

Crackdown. Ha. Authorities are just pandering to an increasing hostile public opinion.

It's not a "marketing tactic", it's bribery.

[dangr]

3. Direct to Consumer advertising also plays a part

Just got back from Europe and noticed that there are NO ads for drugs on TV or in the newspapers (which are much better than ours, by the way). Remember just 10 or 15 years ago when the drug companies weren't allowed to advertise on TV? Now they convince people to "ask their doctors" for these specific medications when other cheaper versions are just as good

[PA Democrat]

5. The US is one of only two countries worldwide

to permit direct to consumer advertising. The other is New Zealand.

[Massacure]

4. The government should eliminate drug advertising and limit profits

[saigon68]

6. This industry needs to be Nationalized

The people running it are Thugs Hoodlums and Criminals. the RICO Act should be trotted out on these guys.--but alas IT will not Happen---they bribe the candidates who hold public office too.