Have you ever been given the opportunity to give a paid drug company lecture? I was given the opportunity to lecture on Invanz. I was told I would be given the slides to do the lecture AND it would only take about 15 minutes. And I would be paid $1,000 for my time.
It's not OK to give a doctor a pen, but it is OK to pay them a $1000 in consultation fees. I find this whole thing preposterous. I turned them down due to my busy schedule. The question is, would you?
Might wanta update that BLS card first... You sure you've never been sued??
ReplyDeleteNO.
ReplyDeleteI was once told by another physician in my department, "the drug reps are upset that you won't attend the drug lunches, you know they donate alot of money for education for the (non MD) staff" I felt like a prostitute, spending time with someone I didn't want to be with to get money.
I routinely toss all those offers for my input, I only get offered about 100$ for 20 minutes though.
If it is a product I agree with from my own observations as having merit then yes, I would. A good product will sell itself and if some one is willing to pay me to be the vessel of delivery, then why not! Drug companies are no more evil than insurance, government, or any other medical professsion - but each is capable of evil.
ReplyDeleteI did it once a few years ago. Funny it was the same amount - 1000$. HOWEVER, I made my own slides and powerpoint presentation (I could have just used the ones supplied by Roche)and it lasted about 45 minutes so I felt like at least I had done some real work for it. Also, I a made sure to mention other drugs besides the one I was promoting and mentioned their benefits as well.
ReplyDeleteI won't see the drug reps at all. I won't take their calls either. They send me emails and I always email back with a polite but firm, "No."
ReplyDeleteYes, it is ridiculous, but going out for a free steak dinner at the finer places in town is fun. Just don't let it affect your prescribing.
ReplyDeleteThe docs get on their high horses and forget about the trickle down of it all. Since they have put the kibosh on pharm reps, the nurses don't get free meals, I was unable to complete my setting for 8 in Zoloft coffee mugs, and was no longer able to play mind games with the reps. ("I was wondering, I noted in your presentation on costs that you compared the risperidone depot to oral risperidone and oral zyprexa. If you are looking to make a point about the cost effectiveness of your depot drug, shouldn't you really be comparing it to the depot forms of Haldol or Prolixin??)
ReplyDeleteThose were the days.