Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6161

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

Morgan MA, Dana J, Loewenstein G, Zinberg S.
Interactions of doctors with the pharmaceutical industry
J Med Ethics 2006; 32:559-563
http://jme.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/32/10/559

Abstract:

Objective: To assess the opinions and practice patterns of
obstetrician-gynaecologists on acceptance and use of free drug samples
andother incentive items from pharmaceutical representatives.

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed in March 2003 to 397 members of the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who participate in
the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network.

Results: The response rate was 55%. Most respondents thought it proper
to accept drug samples (92%), an informational lunch (77%), an anatomical model
(75%) or a well-paid consultantship (53%) from pharmaceutical
representatives. A third (33%) of the respondents thought that their
own decision to prescribe a drug would probably be influenced by accepting
drug samples. Respondents were more likely to think the average doctor’s
prescribing would be influenced by acceptance of the items than theirs
would be (p<0.002). Respondents who distributed drug samples to patients
indicated doing so because of patients’ financial need (94%) and for their
convenience (76%) and less so as a result of knowledge of the efficacy of the sample
product (63%). A third (34%) of respondents agreed that interactions
with industry should be more strictly regulated.

Conclusion: Obstetrician-gynaecologists largely indicated that they
would act in accordance with what they think is proper regarding accepting
incentive items from pharmaceutical representatives. Although accepting
free drug samples was considered to be appropriate more often than any other
item, samples were most commonly judged to be influential on prescribing
practices. The widely accepted practice of receiving and distributing
free drug samples needs to be examined more carefully.