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Could someone pls explain to me the relationship between drug reps, nurse practitioners, the gimmicks (like free lunches and invitations to dinners at upscale restaurants).
I work an outpatient program that serves the mentally ill. For 7 years we had an MD that prescribed medications to patients and possibly gave them injections. Just before this MD left us we had reps from drug companies invite us to upscale restaurants to dinners. then we got a new Nurse Practitioner who does the same as the MD did except that there is always a lot of activity with drug reps around her office. Last year there was a constant thing with invites to restaurants but that seems to have leveled off.
How does this work? what goes on at the dinners like when the drug reps and Nurse go out? do they discuss new contracts with the agency? what is the purpose?
I would guess that the drug reps are offering incentives to get you to use their products...maybe even a discreet little payoff of some kind...like wining and dining, vacations etc.
Generally drug reps are providing education about the products they represent, and that can be at a reasonable meal - if there is a seminar or some other sort of educational event.
Also, the drug rep will usually provide samples to the clinic, so that patients can try the drug without a cost barrier to see if it is effective for them.
Could someone pls explain to me the relationship between drug reps, nurse practitioners, the gimmicks (like free lunches and invitations to dinners at upscale restaurants).
I work an outpatient program that serves the mentally ill. For 7 years we had an MD that prescribed medications to patients and possibly gave them injections. Just before this MD left us we had reps from drug companies invite us to upscale restaurants to dinners. then we got a new Nurse Practitioner who does the same as the MD did except that there is always a lot of activity with drug reps around her office. Last year there was a constant thing with invites to restaurants but that seems to have leveled off.
How does this work? what goes on at the dinners like when the drug reps and Nurse go out? do they discuss new contracts with the agency? what is the purpose?
Such meals typically involve an educational presentation describing a new product and given by someone with expertise in prescribing the new drug. Regulations require that the meals be "modest" and served in an environment conducive to discussion of the product. Attendees can also discuss their experiences with the medication and even whether they prefer alternatives.
The doctor (or NP) is free to prescribe or not prescribe the drug. There is no money paid to the doctor or NP to use the drug. Obviously, the drug company hopes that the medication will be used, but there is no guarantee that a specific doctor will do so.
In general, a new drug must either be more effective, have fewer side effects, be more convenient to use (meaning it is more likely to be taken), or cost less. Doctors are aware of patients' desire for the most cost effective threatment. Often that is an old standby generic. Many docs will also prescribe a larger dose size and advise a patient to split tablets in half, though that will not work with some delayed release medications.
Doctors are pretty good at evaluating a new drug and finding the appropriate use for it --- which may be not to use it at all.
I would guess that the drug reps are offering incentives to get you to use their products...maybe even a discreet little payoff of some kind...like wining and dining, vacations etc.
Since in fact you are "guessing" and have no real idea what goes on folks should give this opinion the attention it deserves....none.
Could someone pls explain to me the relationship between drug reps, nurse practitioners, the gimmicks (like free lunches and invitations to dinners at upscale restaurants).
I work an outpatient program that serves the mentally ill. For 7 years we had an MD that prescribed medications to patients and possibly gave them injections. Just before this MD left us we had reps from drug companies invite us to upscale restaurants to dinners. then we got a new Nurse Practitioner who does the same as the MD did except that there is always a lot of activity with drug reps around her office. Last year there was a constant thing with invites to restaurants but that seems to have leveled off.
How does this work? what goes on at the dinners like when the drug reps and Nurse go out? do they discuss new contracts with the agency? what is the purpose?
If you're interested, why not ask the nurse practitioner?
You're right, they are illegal...doesn't mean it doesn't happen though.
Yeah, sure. And embezzlement is probably going on at a percentage of American Businesses right now (statistics suggest that at least) -- but since I have no knowledge of that, I don't like to basically slander people I don't know on the interweb.
If people don't like Pharma - that's cool. If people don't like Nurses/Doctors/NPs/PAs/Drug Reps -- that's also cool. But I wish people would stop before they make the leap from "I personally dislike" to "I'm going to snidely insinuate something illegal is probably happening in a situation I know nothing about".
Annoying.
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