By STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated Press Writer Sat Jan 19, 6:42 AM ET
MINNEAPOLIS - When a Duluth-based operator of hospitals and clinics purged the pens, notepads, coffee mugs and other promotional trinkets drug companies had given its doctors over the years, it took 20 shopping carts to haul the loot away.
The operator, SMDC Health System, intends to ship the 18,718 items to the west African nation of Cameroon.
The purge underscored SMDC's decision to join the growing movement to ban gifts to doctors from drug companies.
SMDC scoured its four hospitals and 17 clinics across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin for clipboards, clocks, mouse pads, stuffed animals and other items decorated with logos for such drugs as Nexium, Vytorin and Lipitor.
Trinkets, free samples, free food and drinks, free trips and other gifts have pervaded the medical profession, but observers say that's starting to change...
rph3664
1,714 Posts
This doesn't sound like it was just going to hospitals. Schools and orphanages could use those items as well.
I'm not sure what a person who lives in rural Cameroon would do with a mousepad, but whatever.