| The doctor alliance is a tricky one! On one hand, the | | | | Cordoba had much success in his days as a rep. His |
| each doctor takes a Hippocratic oath swearing to | | | | tactics included the simple lunches for the office. |
| practice medicine ethically. On the other hand, you'd | | | | However, if there were a doctor who refused to |
| have to think about it logically. Suppose a doctor | | | | see Cordoba, he would target those around him. One |
| were faced with the notion of deciding whether | | | | unique tactic was sponsoring a little league baseball |
| prescribing medication would be just as ethical as | | | | team or bowling league. Soon, the doctor would feel |
| coaching you on your diet? The medication would | | | | obligated to at least give Cordoba 10 minutes of time |
| more than likely bring you back to health so wouldn't | | | | to share news of his drugs. Ten minutes is all that is |
| it be ethical to prescribe the meds? In a recently | | | | needed when combined with the fact that Cordoba is |
| written article: Doctors and Pharmaceutical companies, | | | | shelling out money to help support the little league |
| we discussed the fact that pharmaceutical reps offer | | | | baseball team that the doctor's son plays for! |
| doctors cash, trinkets as well as trips to tropical | | | | There are plenty of examples of companies who are |
| destinations in order for the doctors to prescribe | | | | or have been under investigation for unethical tactics. |
| their medications. | | | | Bottom line is that you are still dealing with individuals |
| The Doctors and pharmaceutical companies (see | | | | (doctors and reps). When there are individuals making |
| bottom of this article for link) article exposed period | | | | decisions and money, lunches and vacations are |
| in my own life when I was prescribed meds for high | | | | offered, you will have individuals who will take those |
| blood pressure Soon after, I was able to regulate my | | | | gifts and prescribe medication to you as a result. |
| blood pressure by regulating my diet. I can't say with | | | | What should you do? |
| absolute certainty that the doctor who gave me | | | | 1) Always ask questions. Don't take any medications |
| samples of blood pressure medication did it because | | | | without asking why is this my only option. |
| they simply wanted to promote for a pharmaceutical | | | | 2) Do your research. Google is a wonderful place that |
| company. In fact, I did need to do SOMETHING to | | | | you can easily find more information about drugs, |
| bring my blood pressure back in line. | | | | doctors, your condition and pharmaceutical companies. |
| However, I do think that the doctors involved could | | | | 3) Get a second opinion. You may be surprised at the |
| have done more by the way of educating me and | | | | difference in opinion. |
| trying alternatives (such as diet changes) first. | | | | Don't be afraid to ask your doctor about his |
| Pharmaceutical companies have been investigated as | | | | relationship with the detail men/pharmaceutical reps |
| they some times walk a fine line between what is | | | | of the drugs he prescribes to you. When doctors |
| and is not ethical. Gene Cordoba (former rep) shares | | | | know your line of thinking and that you are |
| his experience in the industry. He states that he has | | | | knowledgeable and paying attention to these things, |
| heard reps boast of providing sports tickets to | | | | he may be less likely to prescribe unless there is an |
| doctors, buying televisions for waiting rooms and | | | | absolute need, he feels that this is the best option |
| even providing tickets to tropical destinations. | | | | for you AND he has no ulterior motives. |