Opening The Books

I worked in a print shop for 14 yrs and we had several drug reps as customers. They told me things I never would've believed doctors did, until I saw the proof. Doctors would tell them that they couldn't get in to see them if they didn't buy them an expensive medical book, pay for the design and printing of fancy letterhead and envelopes, lunchs for the staff, etc. One doctor even called a drug rep in the middle of the night to have her deliver samples of the new antibiotic she was marketing, because his child was sick. He was either too cheap or too lazy to go to a pharmacy himself! This kind of behavior is what helps drive up the cost of medicines in this country. It's all about the money.

If Lilly Corp does start to disclose this info then great it's about time. Lets get that bill passed in Congress so that the rest of the Highway Robbers posing as drug companies are required to follow suit! While we are at it lets pass a law that requires HMOs to disclose bonus payments made to physicians for following cavitation schedles and failing to refer patients to specialists. That would be a telling list!