Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1804

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Reist D, Vandecreek L.
The pharmaceutical industry's use of gifts and educational events to influence prescription practices: Ethical dilemmas and implications for psychologists
Professional psychology-research and practice 2004 Aug; 35:(4):329-335

Abstract:

Psychologists are increasingly facing exposure to the marketing strategies of the pharmaceutical industry, such as gifts, perks, and educational programs. Psychiatry has demonstrated some of the pitfalls associated with the powerful influence and financial resources of pharmaceutical marketing. The literature suggests that prescribing behavior is influenced by exposure to such marketing practices, even by small and seemingly insignificant gifts. Psychology has an opportunity to develop effective safeguards against the potential undue influence of pharmaceutical marketing on the way they practice and now, for some, on the way they prescribe. The authors describe ways in which psychologists may be affected by these marketing practices, and they offer several strategies for dealing with ethical dilemmas that arise from the competing interests of patient care and the pharmaceutical industry’s profit motive.

Keywords:
SALES REPRESENTATIVES; PHYSICIANS; DRUG; INFORMATION; MEDICATION; RESIDENTS; ATTITUDES; PROMOTION; QUALITY; COST