Free food, face time and golf trips are powerful methods of persuasion, says AARP spokesman David Irwin. They're common practices, he said, among pharmaceutical company representatives pushing doctors to prescribe more expensive, brand-name drugs when less-expensive, generic brands are as effective.
Pressure from the pharmaceutical companies, Irwin said, is causing doctors to prescribe the more expensive medicine, a cost that is passed on to consumers. It's a practice, Irwin said, that the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is trying to curtail.
"We're looking to make sure the prescription drugs that end up in your medicine cabinet are there for the right reason," said Irwin. "Not because of a slick sales push, but because they are the best drugs for the best price."
To counter the sales pitches, Southern Tier members of the AARP are adopting the pharmaceutical companies' tactics.
Members of the AARP have visited doctors' offices to encourage doctors to resist temptations from drug reps.
Hat tip: Sue at Capsules
No comments:
Post a Comment