Comment by monadic2 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by monadic2 | Hacker News Reader

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I would imagine you’d need to draw a correlation between advertisements and quality of care and successful treatment rate; awareness and involvement aren’t positive or negative per se.

Secondly, I see too many damn branded pens in my doctor’s office to be under the illusion that the marketing is only directed at the patients. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been prescribed medication just to have it swapped out at the pharmacy for a generic variety. Doctors are just as susceptible to advertising than the rest of us, except exclusively at harm to the patient.

The demonstrated “value” being provided seems to be mostly in the form of cash in the pockets of providers and pharmaceuticals, not in material benefit to the patients.

Secondly, I see too many damn branded pens in my doctor’s office to be under the illusion that the marketing is only directed at the patients.

I can assure you that drug reps didn't bring in catered lunch to my ex-wife's GP office for the benefit of better informing patients about their choices. We got divorced 30 years ago, but I'd bet money I've still got a sticky note pad lying around the house somewhere with a pharma company's name on it.

There's plenty of drug marketing going on that will never come under the gaze of a patient.

So, the reason they've got branded pens is that the drug reps are allowed to give them pens, so they do. Trivial low value gift. Historically the doctor wouldn't remember HealthyHeart brand beta blockers because of the 40 cent pen but because they paid for his two week safari. Most of the world banned that, but not so very long ago. My nurse friend didn't spend a penny of her own money on big birthday events when she was younger, drug reps paid for everything. (In the NHS system some nurses have full prescribing powers I presume some US nurses likewise but even if not it's the same for doctors)

Drug reps in the US quit giving away pens and coffee mugs in the US in 2008, in accord with PhRMA rules (that's the drug manufacturers' association/lobby). They got to say it was improved ethics, but it was also a mutual disarmament agreement of sorts. "We'll stop giving out sticky pads if you will."

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