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Discussion

Do pharma reps target you??

I was wondering if pharma reps target nurse practitioners and physician assistants in private clinics or family practices? Do they also use the same tactics they employ on the doctors by leaving breakfast and lunches everyday, and inviting people to fancy dinners and shows? If so, how do you deal with them? What is your clinic's policy on these drug reps?

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    Yup. At least 3 meals (breakfast/lunch) a week (out of 5 days), if not more. The providers I work with don't seem to mind.

    ETA - We are a mixed practice/MDs and NPs, and they'll talk to the office manager and me, as well. I'm a care coordinator.

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    Not quite sure what you mean by "target"?

    Yes pharma reps want to talk to NPs. They will invite you to dinners. You can choose to go or not, but I can be pretty honest in saying that buying a lunch or dinner does not sway my opinion at all. Reps do give you access to recent studies which are good to read. The dinner have paid speakers, most of which will be happy to answer off-label generic treatment questions. Its is what you make of it: a learning experience or a bribe. If you are bribed by a free lunch it's probably not the right job for you.

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    • Author
    Not quite sure what you mean by "target"?

    Yes pharma reps want to talk to NPs. They will invite you to dinners. You can choose to go or not, but I can be pretty honest in saying that buying a lunch or dinner does not sway my opinion at all. Reps do give you access to recent studies which are good to read. The dinner have paid speakers, most of which will be happy to answer off-label generic treatment questions. Its is what you make of it: a learning experience or a bribe. If you are bribed by a free lunch it's probably not the right job for you.

    Thank You for your reply. I just wanted to see other's perspective on this topic.

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    I stopped going to these paid dinners because really it's just a waste of my time. I'd rather go to the gym and/or spend personal time with my family and friends. If they really have pertinent data to share, they can share it during those free lunches.

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    Yes, it's easy to see how it would not influence some prescribers because you have the powerful principles of reciprocity and sex appeal at work. Subconsciously, many prescribers will tend to be inclined to be swayed by virtue of feeling obligated to return the favor of a free meal/dinner (especially if it is a one-to-one lunch/dinner with a rep). Also, have you seen some of the reps that pharma is employing? They are handsome men and attractive women on purpose because they know some lonely prescribers will take the lunch/dinner just to try get a whiff of the rep's scent. Pharmas know its a powerful way to get a foot in the door to get an ear from a potential revenue source. And lastly, some prescribers are so egotistical that they will jump at the chance to meet with someone who laughs at their jokes and compliments them all the time.

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    Studies have shown these stuff that big pharma do influence doctors' prescribing pattern... Common sense would tell people that they would not do it if it did not work..

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    Study Affirms Pharma's Influence on Physicians

    The link to the actual study: MMS: Error

    The title of the opinion piece listed above is a bit misleading, in my opinion.

    The data is not all that surprising, though. The problem with it, is as the rep from the article stated, there are different ways to "sell" a drug. "Selling" a drug through scientific studies and providing samples is different, to me, than through taking a provider on an all-expense paid vacation (whish you can't do anymore) or through a $10 lunch. I do agree its a fine line, and in my opinion, each provider should know themselves whether they will be swayed by the sex appeal or free food and limit their exposure to it.

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    Sure, I'd love a free meal, but they don't come here. I don't have time to talk, plus I don't typically go for "new" medicines because they're expensive and typically don't work any better than older ones.

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    Honestly, there is no such thing as a "free" lunch. It's actually cheaper for providers to buy their own meals and lunch rather than partaking in the drug rep's expensive meals and gifts. If you plainly don't attend these dinner sessions, than you wouldn't feel obligated to do anything for them.

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    We see a lot of reps at my office and have lunch provided several days a week. I have learned a lot from them and they have been helpful in communicating studies, new info, and in getting meds for patients who cannot afford them. They don't influence my prescribing-patient's insurance dictates what I prescribe.

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    The link to the actual study: I do agree its a fine line, and in my opinion, each provider should know themselves whether they will be swayed by the sex appeal or free food and limit their exposure to it.

    That's kind of a naive statement to make... Do you that these people track your prescribing practice?

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    That's kind of a naive statement to make... Do you that these people track your prescribing practice?

    I'm not quite sure what you mean by either of these statements. Self-reflective practice is an important tool for prescribers and as such each provider should have a good idea if they are being influenced by external factors that are unethical. I have more concerns about inexperienced providers/students being exposed to this kind of treatment as I do think they are at higher risk.

    Pharmaceutical companies maintain detailed databases about prescriptions, including who prescribed them, who filled them, how often refills are requested, and in some cases their efficacy. Like may prescribers I have issues with that information being available to the pharmaceutical companies, but that is a federal issue to address. Sure they can compare prescriber practices just like they can compare patient usage and compliance.

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