How do you feel about doctors and hospitals receiving perks (pens, mugs, free lunches, etc) from prescription drug companies? The drug industry is supposed to announce on Thursday that they are revising their marketing code and will no longer give away free swag so doctors will prescribe their drugs. Should docs take these things when they are offered?

I find this highly amusing.  I doubt any dr has been swayed to use a drug from a lunch or pen gift.  Kickbacks......(including money, private, expensive paid vacations, use of private jets) now that's another story and they used to receive them.  However, about 15 to 20 years ago, there was a big stink about kickbacks, licenses lost from unethical business practices etc.  Mostly I think they're doing this to cut costs, not for any ethical reasons

The perks may not pursuade the docs but it certainly leaves a lasting impression on the patients that come into contact with the items.  It's marketing and thought provoking in a sense.  It may prompt fact finding questions.  I didn't realize how powerful these tools were until I took a few courses on the medicalization of sociology.  As I understand it the commercials advertising these drugs and the inserts in magazines is where it starts.  Seeing the perks from the patient's point of view merely reinforces it. 

As for the docs the perks don't persuade them.  Some of the pens are nice though.

When i worked in home care supervision, we always had wound companies. drug reps, coming to educate  on new and exciting drugs/equipment etc.They always brought us pens,mouse pads, cups etc etc.It isnt a bribe, just a token to give you so you dont forget them or there product.the reps always have the coolest, best pens!!!!Like the other person said, just because they take doesnt mean they have to use them.It seems like a good business tactic.

The laws on what they can give have changed over the years. They reps are only allowed to give things that can be used in patient care such as ink pens or notepads.  The lunches usually have to be like an inservice on the drug. If these companies didnt waste so much money on advertising the cost of the medications would be alot less. Most of the doctors I know just throw the literature on these drugs away. With all this talk of going green maybe we should tell these drug companies to save some trees and quit sending out all the junk mail.