Question for the forum doctors

September 19, 2017, 06:24 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RAMIUS:
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
quote:
Originally posted by MNSIG:
They might pick up lunch once a year, but that's about it.
I have personal knowledge of a practice in which pharmaceutical reps buy lunch for the entire office, both practitioners and clerical staff, at least once a week.

This is not hearsay or rumor; as I said, this is personal knowledge.

I do that all the time...having a lunch with the office is the only real way I can inform the entire office about the med I'm repping. It's called an educational in-service. It's not like the rep just called and sent lunch there...there are rules to how these things go and severe consequences for the drug rep, the company, and the doctor if it's not properly documented.

The general rule is that you can only spend $15-$20 per person in the office. They're not getting filet mignon, they're getting chik-FIL a...

We recently had a medical device company provide a 2-2.5 hour in-service for us at Ruth's Chris Steak House, so there still is filet mignon

I don't know the exact details, but they did keep a list of all of the attendees. I definitely didn't consider ~$50 of food for 2.5 hours of my time a "kickback" though. The only reason I felt it was worth my time to attend was for the new therapeutic techniques they discussed.

I am fairly young (32), but do hear about the "good ol' days" of unlimited alcohol and strip clubs.

September 19, 2017, 07:00 AM

blueye

My nephew is a pediatric neurosurgeon and he reports no kickbacks only the occasional lunch for the office.

September 19, 2017, 07:07 AM

barndg00

The dinners are still out there, some at pretty nice restaurants, however, a physician's spouse can no longer attend (unless they are also in the medical field). I get little enough time with my family, so if my wife can't go, I won't be there either, even if its at Ruths Chris or some other 5 star place. Besides that, I'm in emergency medicine, we're not a big draw for the pharma companies.

September 19, 2017, 08:41 AM

Georgeair

There are a lot of really hot reps out there. Surely not our members....

Of course that probably only goes so far, to get them in the door but in real medical device or advanced Pharma not an actual help. I've always assumed it could be a deterrent depending on who the "gatekeepers" are at front desk. Anybody who doesn't think they wield a lot of power hasn't been around the block yet.

September 19, 2017, 08:46 AM

RAMIUS

quote:
Originally posted by Georgeair:
There are a lot of really hot reps out there. Surely not our members....

Of course that probably only goes so far, to get them in the door but in real medical device or advanced Pharma not an actual help. I've always assumed it could be a deterrent depending on who the "gatekeepers" are at front desk. Anybody who doesn't think they wield a lot of power hasn't been around the block yet.

Hey man, someone's gotta flirt with Peggy at the front desk to get in to speak to Dr Jones each week.

But holy hell, you're not kidding. Some of the girls I work with are perfect 10 smoke shows with a brain and awesome personality.

September 20, 2017, 08:52 AM

DitchDoctor911

Certainly no kickbacks here. In fact, I haven't had a drug rep come by the ER in ages, much less leave any samples. I guess we don't prescribe enough of the newest & greatest (meaning expensive) drugs to warrant their attention.

I've not gone to a sponsored dinner in decades-- just don't want to have any semblance of being bought off. Plus, it probably adds to the price of the medicine they're hawking.

Want me to Rx your drug? Make sure it's damn good, much better than what's already on the market. And not astronomically priced!