Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18285

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: Electronic Source

Silverman E
What One Doctor And Staff Want For Lunch
Pharmalot 2010 Jun 28
http://www.pharmalot.com/2010/06/what-one-doctor-and-staff-want-for-lunch/

Full text:

Even in this day and age when the proverbial free lunch from a sales rep is considered a no-no, we all know that some doctors run very busy practices with large staffs who appreciate a nice meal now and then. And some practices are very – very – particular about what the reps should bring, and when it should be delivered.
Take this memo from a Baltimore practice about its new sales rep poilcy. Issued earlier this month, lunches are to held only between 12 noon and 1 pm, but food must be delivered by 11:45 am. And reps must email the office at least the day before, “so anyone with any allergies may plan to bring lunch that day…This also allows us to identify if we get the wrong lunch delivered before the food is opened.” What’s more, there are no less than 20 recommended eateries from which reps can choose. So we’re all clear, this is the officially approved list of restaurants and caterers:
Baja Fresh; Bertucci’s; Vito’s pizzeria; Umi; Sake (for sushi); Subway; Salsaritas; Casa Mia’s (which caters to sales reps); Five Guys; Chick-fil-a; Santoni’s (crab soup and salads); Zanino’s (crab cakes); Panera Bread; Romano’s Macaroni Grill; Atwater’s; Seasons; barbecue from Andy’s or Adams, or Red Hot and Blue or Corner Stable, and, in general, any Chinese, but nothing deeply fried.
Oh, but please, nothing from Dibs, Boston Market, Ridgely’s Choice or Barron’s. Why? The memo doesn’t say, but given the designated choices, a sales rep shouldn’t have a hard time keeping everyone happy.