For Patients, the Difference Between the Right or Wrong Prescription Could Be a Sandwich

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined the links between pharmaceutical spending on entertaining doctors and the prescribing habits of those doctors. Unsurprisingly, the study found that doctors are more likely to prescribe a particular drug if a company spent money on activities like research, gifts, meals or travel. The surprising part was the relatively low cost of loyalty; on average, a $20 meal was enough to tip the scales.

Numbers don’t lie

Fortune reported, “The researchers found that doctors who were treated to a meal that was meant to promote the drug tended to prescribe that drug over equivalents. They were 18% more likely to prescribe Crestor… over over [other] statins; 70% more likely to prescribe Bystolic… over other beta blockers; 52% more likely to prescribe Benicar… over other ACE inhibitors; and 118% more likely to prescribe Pristiq… over comparable antidepressants.”

Also unsurprising were the findings that more dollars spent equated to a higher relative rate of prescriptions. Doctors are, after all, only human. A little extra attention goes a long way. Unfortunately, the company that provides the best sandwiches may not be the company that makes a drug best suited for a particular patient. Prescribing a drug because of kickbacks instead of prescribing a drug based on a patient’s medical situation is negligence, even if it is unintentional.

Big pharma denies, denies, denies

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a trade group, defended the practice of spending money to promote certain drugs. In a statement, the group said, “This study cherry-picks physician prescribing data for a subset of medicines to advance a false narrative.” This ridiculous allegation was followed by the defense that these monies provide a platform for manufacturers to share information that advances patient safety, an argument that, in our opinion, grasps desperately at the straw of legitimacy.

This study found that spending money on doctors to “communicate” about a particular drug results in that drug being prescribed more often. While that seems obvious, the real phrase for that scenario is “promotional advertising.” We’d be extremely interested to see how that spending money is allocated on a tax return. In any case, prescribing the wrong medication constitutes medical negligence, regardless of the cause.

If you or your loved one has been the victim of a medical error, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or illness and lost wages. The experienced South Carolina defective drug attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. Call 803-327-7800 or contact us today for a free consultation.