HEALTH How Much of What Your Doctor Recommends to You Is Based on Big Pharma Payouts? New Research Suggests It Could Be a Lot

[Kris Gandillon]

I guess none of my doctors are getting anything. They all show up in the database but no $$$.

 

[Sandcastle76]

My doctor showed up…looks like his office only accepted food/drinks that average out to $20-30 dollars each time, for a total of approx $1000 for the entire year. Living in South Louisiana where food is “king”, that amount is more than acceptable, in my opinion. Probably brings sweets - cookies, doughnuts, or king cake on occasion… a good spread, especially during Lent would run them more than $200-300 per visit, based on the number employees I see when I have an appointment. Down here every salesman brings something to eat when paying you a visit. YMMV

 

[CaryC]

I guess none of my doctors are getting anything. They all show up in the database but no $$$.

Yeah mine is making money hands over fists.

Made 88.00 last year all on food and drink, and the number of visits puts each outlay at around 15.00.

 

[summerthyme]

I hate to read and comment on this. I am presently under orders from my urologist to take antibiotic Cefdinir 300mg as well as a "flow max" type pill. I'm only on my second dose of the Cefdinir (haven't gone for the other at all yet--but am peeing). Fact is, I'm very anxious about all the exciting side effects they tell us about. I've only had one issue with a antibiotic, long ago, and other than that no issues at all.

I used to work for a surgeon. I attended with him a number of sales-reps presentations . . . a learned that that is how doctors "keep up" with the "new information".

Bottom line: I do not trust my doctor and am making myself sick with anxiety. I did not start a prayer-request thread, but if any of you talk with God, remind him I'm trusting him as best I can and could use some help.

Delta... Cefdinir is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It's only available as a generic... was originally marketed under the brand name Omnicef, but the patent has expired.

It's side effect profile is very minor, compared to many other antibiotics. And because it's off patent, it's very unlikely your doctor is receiving any incentives to prescribe it.

The ones to really watch for are the drugs being heavily advertised... the "newest and greatest". MOST of those are for various long term issues... autoimmune disease, diabetes, heart failure.

IF you have one of those problems, but have achieved decent symptom control with older meds, be very wary of a doctor saying, "hey, this new drug is great! Why don't we see whether it will benefit you?" There's usually a reason... and it can be found in kickbacks.

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Delta... Cefdinir is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It's only available as a generic... was originally marketed under the brand name Omnicef, but the patent has expired.

It's side effect profile is very minor, compared to many other antibiotics. And because it's off patent, it's very unlikely your doctor us receiving any incentives to prescribe it.

The ones to really watch for are the drugs being heavily advertised... the "newest and greatest". M9ST of those are for various long term issues... autoimmune disease, diabetes, heart failure.

IF you have one of those problems, but have achieved decent symptom control with older meds, be very wary of a doctor saying, "hey, this new drug is great! Why don't we see whether it will benefit you?" There's usually a reason... and it can ve found in kickbacks.

Summerthyme

You mentioned autoimmune disease drugs. I agree with you on that. I have Lupus but can't take any of the drugs used for the treatment of it, so my rheumatologist has me taking vitamin and herbal supplements to hold down all my symptoms and flare ups. How many doctors will do that? I do have to take prednisone, but only occasionally.

 

[pauldingbabe]

You mentioned autoimmune disease drugs. I agree with you on that. I have Lupus but can't take any of the drugs used for the treatment of it, so my rheumatologist has me taking vitamin and herbal supplements to hold down all my symptoms and flare ups. How many doctors will do that? I do have to take prednisone, but only occasionally.

That's amazing! What a blessing.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

That's amazing! What a blessing.

Yes, a blessing. All of my doctors are willing to treat with herbals and supplements first, or along with pharma drugs. I have a great line of communication with all of them. I can talk to them, and they talk to me about all options.