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Question for doctors?

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Do drug companies attempting to obtain profit from their new drugs (ex: Paxil, Zoloft, Ambien, Lunesta, etc.) have any influence on your decision to prescribe it to patients? Do you get any type of endorsement or bonus for prescribing them a certain drug?

Please be honest! Thank you.

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  1. I am a pharmacy technician and I can tell you this: in the clinics that I have worked at, drug reps are not even allowed to enter the building without prior approval of the management. And even when they do get the approval, they usually just meet with a manager or a pharmacist. They are not allowed to approach any of the medical staff (doctors or nurses) on their own. When they do come to the pharmacy, all they can do is to leave informational material (brochures and pamphlets but not advertising material like pens and note pads).

    We had one that came to the pharmacy  without talking to the management ahead of time. One of the managers saw her and escorted her out of the building! I felt so sorry for her!    


  2. No & No. We have nothing on our contracts that state anything about number of prescriptions issued.

    I personally look for other alternatives before prescribing or referring a patient medicine, especially an anti-depressants like Zoloft.

  3. Actually restrictions on drug reps marketing strategies are greatly increasing, including to the point where they can no longer give out free samples. The doctors I am rotating with are all pretty skeptical of what the reps tell them. The prescribe based on experience. Sometimes having samples does affect the choice in prescription because it gives you the chance to try out a medication without the patient having to go pay for it first.

    I have also seen doctors give out samples to save people money, and then switch to a cheaper med. For example, Lexapro and Celexa are basically the same drug, but Lexapro has no generic, so the manufacturer pushes it. Docs often give a month of Lexapro and then switch over to the generic celexa.

    but no, you don't get any kind of bonus. Even the pens and lunches soon will be a thing of the past.
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