Because they will be employees of Glaxo, the company won’t have to report payments to doctors under the so-called Sunshine Act in the U.S. that requires such disclosures. On the other hand, their credibility may be questioned, and they won’t be able to answer questions such as how they would treat a patient with specific symptoms or problems, given that they aren’t practicing physicians, Khedkar said.Ironically in the same article, a few paragraphs down:
In addition to targeted e-mails and Web seminars, drugmakers are increasingly using mobile platforms including instant replies to questions sent by text message that doctors can use while seeing patients, Khedkar said.Heh. There you have it: another regulatory problem solved.
No doubt these doctor drug reps will soon figure prominently as speakers at our upcoming scientific sessions.
God help us.
-Wes
God help us is right! Why haven't we heard more about this? This is the kind of thing that needs to be nipped in the bud---pronto.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing about this. I had no idea.
How about signing this petition to end MOC?
ReplyDeleteSee: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/recallmoc
Thank you for an eye-opening post. This kind of behavior compromises the profession. At the end of the day, it's all about proper regulation. Thanks.
ReplyDelete