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$19B to Influence Doctors -- Do You Know Why?

It's no secret that some drug companies pay for doctors to attend medical conferences in exotic locales. Others treat them to pricey meals and pass out pens and Post-it notes branded with product names. All told, drug and medical-device makers dole out an estimated $19 billion worth of gifts to physicians every year -- a practice that worries New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, among others. On Sept. 19 she summoned a task force to consider putting limits on this orgy of gratuities. Although New Jersey wouldn't be the first state to pass laws, any action there would have a huge symbolic impact: The Garden State is home to many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, including Merck & Co. and Johnson & Johnson.

Business Week October 8, 2007




 
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Posted On Oct 03, 2007

If we (As people that truly want to change the face of medicine) don’t start being a little more aggressive and confronting about things they will never have to fess up! We have people on both sides of the political isle that talk and talk about the evils of big pharma and never step up to the plate!

Besides owning about half of all the commercial TV spots, and bombarding us hypnotically with their rhetoric every time we watch TV, The giant pharmaceutical companies have paid for many university medical teaching buildings. If you don’t think this buys "Big Pharma" a way to have doctors taught the way "Big Pharma" wants, then you are seriously naive!

So is it not time to wake up the media (Who claims to have a negative view of big pharma) and literally force them to make some serious documentaries about this???? IT CAN BE DONE!

Let’s get forcefully people!!! We have to or pharma will keep going!


 
The Herb Doc
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 11/2006
The Herb Doc  
Replied

Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
Posted On Oct 03, 2007
There is a reason Congressional terms in office are only 2 YEARS folks. 

Over at the multi millionaires club (US Senate) the term is 6 YEARS , and I cannot think of even one incumbent on either side of the isle who deserves another term.

Vote the bums out!

Take back control from the K Street Lobbyists!

Ron Paul in 2008!


BeyondOrganic
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
BeyondOrganic  
 
Posted On Oct 07, 2007
Right there with you Herb Doc!

 
 
 
Posted On Oct 03, 2007
Even though nobody likes paperwork, I am sure it won't lessen the payouts. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 
Arizona
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2007
Arizona  
 
 
 
Posted On Oct 06, 2007
The only thing that will end this healthcare monopoly is pressure from those who have been injured by it or who know someone who has been damaged by drugs/vaccines. That number is in the millions, folks and it is our job to responsibly and effectively get the word out. If you are a healthcare professional, stand up and assert your authority. RNs, you are a powerful group, having been on both sides of the issue, so to speak. You see the damages and you know first hand what various drugs and vaccines can do. Do everything you can to increase your respectable standing in the medical community. Speak from positions of strength. What is needed is education of the layman on these issues. Keep the pressure on and hold steady with it. All of us together can make the greatest difference.

 
Magnolia
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Magnolia  
 
 
 
 
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