Doctors Receiving Kickbacks

Baxter · #1 04-21-2006, 03:26 PM

So I'm in a routine arguement with my step-father. This time we're debating medicine and he says that all doctors make prescription decisions based upon potential kickbacks. Do doctors receive a kickback on prescriptions, diagnostic tests, braces, referrals, etc?

adsman · #2 04-21-2006, 03:30 PM

I once went to see a doctor. As I sat down in front of him he wrote my name at the top of a prescription form, signed it and then asked me what he could do for me.

xorbie · #3 04-21-2006, 03:34 PM

yes, doctors receive kickbacks

GovmentCheese · #4 04-21-2006, 03:55 PM

people are in pharma sales. They don't talk to you.. they schmooze with doctors.

...so yeah.. somethin's gotta pay for med school.

gamblore99 · #5 04-21-2006, 03:56 PM

what does this mean? Pharmeceutical companies pay doctors for prescribing their drugs?
That is a gross conflict on intrest, I can't see how that would be allowed.

pkr2k5 · #6 04-21-2006, 04:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
people are in pharma sales. They don't talk to you.. they schmooze with doctors.

...so yeah.. somethin's gotta pay for med school.

[/ QUOTE ]

adsman · #7 04-21-2006, 04:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
what does this mean? Pharmeceutical companies pay doctors for prescribing their drugs?
That is a gross conflict on intrest, I can't see how that would be allowed.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're kidding right? I mean, you guys really do not know this? It's Michael Moores new campaign if I remember correctly.

swede123 · #8 04-21-2006, 04:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
what does this mean? Pharmeceutical companies pay doctors for prescribing their drugs?
That is a gross conflict on intrest, I can't see how that would be allowed.

[/ QUOTE ]

This used to occur quite frequently, perhaps not in terms of straight up cash payments, but lots of free trips, golf memberships, etc. etc. My wife is currently in Med. School, and based on what she's finding out this type of funny business has been severly restricted as of late. In fact, if you pay attention when watching TV you'll notice lots more pharmaceutical commercials on (even during primetime shows) than, say, ten years ago. Much of this is because of the pharm. companies being unable to "bribe" the doctors directly anymore, so instead they turn to the consumers, trying to persuade them to ask their doctor for whatever medicine they see advertised.

Swede

Gunny Highway · #9 04-21-2006, 04:08 PM

OP, You're not fooling anyone.

Arnfinn Madsen · #10 04-21-2006, 04:08 PM

I don't know how it is in the US, but in Norway a majority of doctors are corrupt, even if we don't have much corruption in general. The pharmaceutical companies are just extremely sneaky in the way they approach the doctors, starting with paying for innocent things and then they add a few conventions, then direct gifts etc.. I spoke to a hospital manager and he said it was so bad that he wants to fire all the doctors and recruit new ones and hand more responsibility over to the nurses (who he viewed as non-corrupt), but due to national and international lack of doctors he has no choice but to keep them, even if he knows what is going on. In Norway the government is trying to change to cheaper medicines in order to save money which can be better spent elsewhere, but since those providers don't have the margins to directly and indirectly bribe the doctors, the battle to make the doctor's prescribe the best medicine based on value is very tough.

If you want unbiased views upon medication you need to speak to somebody you trust, don't take the doctor's word for it.