How to tell a drug rep to shut up?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · May 11, 2007

Lucky for us, our hospital has banned any form of drug or product advertising within the hospital premises. No drug reps allowed anymore, no free lunches, no free trips, and no more free cool pens ( ). I do still get to see them when attending NP association meetings and conferences - I just say, sorry that drug is not in our formulary!

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 11, 2007

If you didn't get the free stuff would the drug rep's information still be worth an hour of your time?

DucatiNP · May 11, 2007

If you didn't get the free stuff would the drug rep's information still be worth an hour of your time?

Hek no. When I prescribe I know enough about the med (it would be unsafe not to). It's just nice to get answers to off the wall peer reviewed study questions.

I don't need their info, the stuff is really really nice / helpful.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 11, 2007

One of the family practice docs I used to work for had a "one rep per company per visit" policy that seemed to help some. We found that he had a hard time getting away if there were two.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 12, 2007

How do you politely tell a drug rep to shut up?

A little Pavulon or Norcuron ought to do it. :lol2:

zenman · May 12, 2007

Give him a donut with chocolate (ExLax) frosting on it.

Editorial Team / Admin · May 12, 2007

Actually, I have no problems with the reps. Rather enjoy the lunches and welcome the respite.

If they are obnoxious, as some can be, I just politely say, "Sorry, but I have to go save a life now. LOL!!!

BAtoCNM · May 12, 2007

You might want to check out this website:

http://nofreelunch.org/faqs.htm

A resident told me about it and I've learned a lot.

Rhfish2 · May 17, 2007

I usually listen to "some" of their diatribe and then thank them for their time, usually by lying and telling them I have to return phone calls etc. I never write for brand names if I can help it due to the cost factor. Any one of us who has been at the receiving line of the cost of drugs knows the financial impact it can have. Their are also the annoying, obnoxious reps that I refuse to chat with, the ones that tell me their drug is the best and don't use any others. Those are the same ones that I tell, "funny thats what the last rep from the other company said".

BAtoCNM · May 17, 2007

Apropos of drug companies, check this out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/health/10psyche.html?pagewanted=1

cgfnp · May 20, 2007

I hate their expensive brochures, and I don't believe a word any of them say, because they are trained to sell you something and they manipulate facts and studies and I see right through it. I act interested at times, but they can see what I prescribe. That's the one reason I would like to see socialized medicine, as all that would go away.

I just tell them I'm an exclusive generic user, as the cost of medicines that are non-generic are rediculous, and I've been very successful with 99% of my patients on all generics. And they love me because not only is their BP and HA1C better, their meds went from $600/month to $30/month because their doctor gave them the last reps meds they saw and has no idea the cost or insurance situation of the patient.

Here's a good example: you find dyslipidemia, and diet/exercies fails, and it's time for a statin. Why the hell would anyone not give Lovastatin? It's cheap, it works for most to get them where they need to be, and even the higher doses can be combined at Wal Mart $4/month (20mg highest dose) and they'd have to pay a max of $16/month for the highest dose of Lovastatin.