Can we trust drug companies?
True
News & media
Can we trust drug companies?
Debate current medical affairs
The UK drugs firm Glaxo Smith Kline has been fined $3 Billion after admitting bribing Doctors in the USA to prescribe drugs for adults and children which were not approved. It seems to have given out
3
Cat:OffDutyForum:NewsMedia
Cat:OffDutyForum:NewsMediaDiscussion:15bd25c9-651a-4e0c-8fb3-a2e0ef00caf4
Forums » Off duty » News & media » Can we trust drug companies?
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 4/7/2012 6:28 PM BST
on bmj.com
|
Posts: 624
First: 13/4/2011 Last: 15/5/2013 |
In Response to Re: Can we trust drug companies?: Odysseus - in my practice we banned drug reps over a decade ago and, at a recent two day education event, I stayed out of the one lecture sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. And I do not use drug company pens, post-its or whatever. In addition, I never prescribe by brand name except when clinically relevant (e.g. cetain anticonvulsants). As doctors we do not have to have any direct involvement with "the trough" - those that do choose to and some of us choose not to. Posted by skyesteve I agree with you skyesteve, and I think this GSK scandal is just the tip of the iceberg. Promiscuous financial relationships from drug&device companies with the medical world is a reality that has been occurring for quite a while, and seems to be increasing with the NCDs epidemics. The sad part of this story is that I do not envision anything more sustainable done against this common practice now. But I do hope this can be changed for the better within our generation. All Best, Joey
|
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 6/7/2012 6:09 PM BST
on bmj.com
|
Posts: 1
First: 6/7/2012 Last: 6/7/2012 |
When the drug companies develop a new molecule and get the patent, they try to recover the huge costs and make huge profits within first two-three years. This leads to unfair marketing practices and high prices. They spend a lot on marketing. Any drug can be sold for first few years after which its adverse effects or lack of expected effects become evident. Moreover the drug companies want the drug to die a natural death before it goes off-patent. This way the generic companies can’t get the benefit of marketing a known molecule for which the patent holder has spent a fortune. Big companies bring out new drugs every few years, these may not always be necessary, but the drug companies create the necessity to prescribe (example: statins). If the patent laws are changed so that any drug company can manufacture and market a patented drug by paying royalty to the patent holder, then it will lead to lower prices and may reduce unfair practices. To compensate the patent holder the period of patent can be extended. This will also reduce the plethora of unnecessary drugs and only truly worthy drugs will survive for long periods. |
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 7/7/2012 12:36 PM BST
on bmj.com
|
Posts: 8
First: 23/5/2010 Last: 27/11/2012 |
Isn't it the same with hospital allowing students to examine patient without the patient being informed, or dentist referring patient to hospital so that some student can have a go at extraction. I personally would not mind if I was told that if I donate my time to the dentist student I would get a free veneer - but it doen't work like that. We should be honest about live test, and some form of compensation would be a plus e.g. ticket to theme park, cinema, etc. I've already in donated my body to medical research. |
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 10/7/2012 10:00 AM BST
on bmj.com
|
Posts: 324
First: 23/12/2011 Last: 3/5/2013 |
Can we trusty drug companies? eh let me think about that one for half a thousandth of a millionth of a second. NO!! Look I am not one to buy into stereotypes- I have a pthological hatred of cliches. But when it comes to this subject I can think of only a couple of industries (ie. banking, junk food industry and politics), that are more corrupt, money grabbing, wanting to make sure they maximise profit. On SOOO many occasions in the last 12 months have drug companies and their regulators come into disrepute over some scandal and I am not surprised at all that one of the heavies in the industry- GSK has to now pay this fine. Honeslty, I am sure there are loads of employees at those companies that try and want to stay on the staright and true but for goodness sake IO wish they could just be honest and open all of the time and stop trying to screw with our heads. |
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 10/7/2012 4:29 PM BST
on bmj.com
|
Posts: 26
First: 9/2/2012 Last: 12/1/2013 |
Well, a very interesting question. We generally do by signing a prescription. The issue here may be related to how they are regulated and controlled. Drug industry is mostly driven by profits and return on the investments of shareholders, which in turn may stand well on the way of ethics and moral values. We are certainly not short of examples where things have gone wrong as in the case of PPI, GSK etc. Although difficult to own up to it, doctors being the prescribers and purveyors of their products are in fact partially responsible when in some cases, there is a drop on standard or violation of regulations. Bribes in any sector is not seeing as morally correct. Or has Madonna moves interfered on your ability to discern right from wrong? |
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 11/7/2012 1:07 PM BST
on bmj.com
|
|
Posts: 624
First: 13/4/2011 Last: 15/5/2013 |
Even when signing a prescription, the smart physician should not trust any private drug company. A smart physician should be aware of all drug-sponsored trials about that specifically prescribed drug, its well known and poorly known side-effects, NNTs, NNHs, and share also those informations with all patients. All Best, Joey |
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 1/8/2012 8:30 AM BST
on bmj.com
|
|
*Moderator*
Posts: 1447
First: 7/4/2011 Last: 22/5/2013 |
If fines for drug companies were planets.... courtesy of the Department of Justice...  http://pinterest.com/pin/22025485648273267/ http://www.fiercepharma.com/special-reports/top-10-pharma-settlements/top-10-pharma-settlements |
|
|
Re: Can we trust drug companies?
posted at 1/8/2012 12:45 PM BST
on bmj.com
|
Posts: 1266
First: 13/4/2010 Last: 21/5/2013 |
Briliant graphic Matthew - though perhaps something like this would have more apt: http://content.snapixel.com/serve-content/EBS0/m_widereye_f912057377/Stock-Photo-of-Young-pigs-feeding.jpg |
Forums » Off duty » News & media » Can we trust drug companies?
