Comments on: Docs And Industry: A Cozy Relationship http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/ News, Comment and Conversation Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:54:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: ed http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/#comment-3276 ed Sun, 29 Apr 2007 22:35:08 +0000 http://plt.starledger.webfactional.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/#comment-3276 Dear Anonymous, I understand your point, and it's a good one. I think the study authors are more concerned situations in which free samples of expensive brand-name meds are distributed while, at the same time, less expensive generics may fill the same need. And in that scenario, the insurance co-pay may be higher for the brand-name med, which the patient may choose to continue using, instead of trying the lower-cost generic. Hope this helps, ed Dear Anonymous,

I understand your point, and it’s a good one. I think the study authors are more concerned situations in which free samples of expensive brand-name meds are distributed while, at the same time, less expensive generics may fill the same need. And in that scenario, the insurance co-pay may be higher for the brand-name med, which the patient may choose to continue using, instead of trying the lower-cost generic.

Hope this helps,
ed

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/#comment-3275 Anonymous Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:55:48 +0000 http://plt.starledger.webfactional.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/#comment-3275 I go to my doctor and do not have insurance. He charges me $50 for the visit and gives me samples for free. I appreciate that he helps me with the visit and gives me the medications for free. What else do you suggest that I do if he did not get samples from reps? I go to my doctor and do not have insurance. He charges me $50 for the visit and gives me samples for free. I appreciate that he helps me with the visit and gives me the medications for free. What else do you suggest that I do if he did not get samples from reps?

]]> By: Melody http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/#comment-3274 Melody Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:38:24 +0000 http://plt.starledger.webfactional.com/2007/04/docs_and_industry_a_cozy_relat/#comment-3274 Doctors STILL are the only point of interface between patients and prescription drugs. A bit (or a lot) of transparency needs to be inserted into this interaction. Perhaps doctors should get off their "entitlement" throne and really consider patient welfare before their own. Doctors STILL are the only point of interface between patients and prescription drugs. A bit (or a lot) of transparency needs to be inserted into this interaction. Perhaps doctors should get off their “entitlement” throne and really consider patient welfare before their own.

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