Pharmaceutical reps in the clinic

[orangepink, NP]

In our specialty clinic, we allow drug reps to come in and promote their products and services. However, some are extremely pushy and aggressive. In fact, Im surprised to find out that one of the drug reps has called our patient and insisted to use his product outside of an office visit. After which, he had the balls to tell me that he already did the patient assessment and evaluation on my behalf!

I understand they have a sales quota but there has to be boundaries. Where can I find about regulations regarding these drug reps?

Also, some (if not most) invite all providers to dinner and I've been to a couple out of curiousity. Most of these dinner are doctors who do a lecture while the rest are eating dinner. Do these physicians get some sort of financial payment as well?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Our large nephrology practice no longer allows pharm reps on site. It had gotten ridiculous.

Yes, as far as I know the docs/PharmD's or whoever lectures during these meals DOES get paid.

[AtomicWoman]

My former primary care practice doc allowed reps to bring lunch and dinner. I regarded them as aggressive parasites. One of the worst was the Invokana salesman who came in 2-3 times a week, insisting we should prescribe it to our diabetic patients. Our senior NP got so fed up, she told the jerk to not come back!

My new primary care practice doc does not allow them to bring any meals and they are told to leave samples and go away. I do not go to those dinners and yes, the doctors who speak are compensated. Pharm companies now have to reveal how much they pay which doctors. You can do a search for a particular doctor on ProPublica's "Dollars for Docs" page: https://projects.propublica.org/docdollars/

[PG2018]

Yes, they absolutely get reimbursed by big pharma to tout the products. You'll often see disclosures provided in papers, journals, etc. by physicians and pharmacists involved.

In psychiatry, there has been a lot of contention concerning the major names in psych practice and research getting also being consultants for drug companies. There's a lot criticism that diagnoses are created to match manufactured drugs rather than vice versa.

But yes they get paid, and they get paid exceptionally well. They'll talk very highly of their drugs and know their competition's drugs equally well. Remember healthcare is a profitable business, and it's the primary objective of any business is to make a profit.

[KellyRN2013]

Oh wow! that is way outside of their boundaries. How did they get the patient information in the first place? I think that is way past a HIPAA violation because the patient may not want this rep to know that he sees a certain doctor. I would be livid! They are NOT allowed to touch any patient records because that violates HIPAA and if a staff member gave the rep the patient's name and number then that is a huge HIPAA violation! Also, the speaker does get paid for doing the lectures but I have always enjoyed those wonderful dinners and lectures :)

[QuietRiot]

Yes, MDs do receive kickbacks from Pharm Companies. But it is against the law for Pharm companies to give kickbacks for prescribing prescriptions. However it is not illegal for them to give kickbacks for promoting their drugs.

For more information regarding this you can research the Sunshine Act, The Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS”)

[carachel2]

And let's not even get started on the shameless flirting by the female reps (not all of them, but most of them) in their "just a little too provocative for work attire" clothing/tight/short skirts/low cut blouses and perfect hair. Laughing at all their jokes and pretending to be buddies. :::::HURL::::: Cannot.stand it ! We used to have lunches all the time and now we don't at all thank goodness. Their "coupon" cards are just a set up for failure and never work as intended. I haven't prescribed a name brand drug in years!

[sauce]

no i work at the hospital but am employed by a clinic with the hospital contract and come by for free left overs at 4pm after they are all gone. I don't need any more education on colcrys or lantus. But i like food. a lot.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I've had a different experience with drug reps. I work in a private specialty practice, and there aren't many generics available for the conditions we treat. I've found the vast majority of our reps to be polite, professional, and they have often helped me get medications for patients who can't afford them. I haven't encountered the "inappropriately dressed female reps". They don't badger us and are happy to wait to talk to us until we have free time. There are a couple who are pains, but they are the exception. And yeah, I enjoy the food....

[nursetim, NP]

I've had a different experience with drug reps. I work in a private specialty practice, and there aren't many generics available for the conditions we treat. I've found the vast majority of our reps to be polite, professional, and they have often helped me get medications for patients who can't afford them. I haven't encountered the "inappropriately dressed female reps". They don't badger us and are happy to wait to talk to us until we have free time. There are a couple who are pains, but they are the exception. And yeah, I enjoy the food....

My experience mirrors this. I make the most of it and try to take something away that improves my practice.

[Littlenurse08]

Question related to pharmaceutical reps. I am a np student and was invited to attend a dinner and lecture about a certain drug. My question is... do I go alone or bring my husband? Thoughts?

[Aromatic]

lol why would bringing your husband matter????????? wayyy overthinking this