Parker Waichman LLP

Pharmaceutical Industry Influences Doctors, Drug Development

The Associated Press has pointed out that many in the medical community are accusing big pharmaceutical of deception, manipulating doctors, and focusing on profits over patients.  Much in the news has been reported to confirm this and medical schools, teaching hospitals, and physician groups are limiting pharmaceutical sales rep influence.  Also, three top editors of […]

The Associated Press has pointed out that many in the medical community are accusing big pharmaceutical of deception, manipulating doctors, and focusing on profits over patients.  Much in the news has been reported to confirm this and medical schools, teaching hospitals, and physician groups are limiting pharmaceutical sales rep influence.  Also, three top editors of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine publicly sided against industry in a U.S. Supreme Court case last month over whether patients harmed by government-approved medicines may still sue in state courts.

New guidelines for how <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/defective_drugs">drug makers and doctors should interact are coming from everywhere and doctors confirm some abuses are now things of the past, but there is still a good amount of conflict due to interdependency.  For instance medicine needs drug makers’ research funding and drug makers need researcher credibility.  “The influence that the pharmaceutical companies—the for-profits—are having on every aspect of medicine … is so blatant now you’d have to be deaf, blind, and dumb not to see it,” said Journal of the American Medical Association editor Dr. Catherine DeAngelis, a longtime industry critic.  “We have just allowed them to take over, and it’s our fault, the whole medical community.”

DeAngelis also recently noted two studies stating ghostwriters wrote past reports about Merck & Co.’s withdrawn pain reliever Vioxx and some reports minimized risk of death.  “Manipulation of studies and publications by the pharmaceutical and medical device industries is either increasing or there has been more exposure of these practices,” she wrote.  DeAngelis added that industry influence includes influencing doctors and medical students with gifts and funding research at top teaching hospitals.  But, funding includes tight controls on studies and results, can hide study authors’ conflicts of interest, and can even control doctors’ continuing medical education by running courses on new treatments. Critics say company-paid speakers who often promote expensive new drugs over older, cheaper ones teach such courses.  “We should all get together and say, ‘Enough!’” she said.

Now, some top journals list study authors’ conflicts of interest and some medical schools and specialty societies ban gifts and limit financial ties to industry; some schools prohibit professors from being paid as drug company speakers and drug makers have stopped awarding cash prizes to medical students for presenting favorable research on their drugs at conferences.  Despite this, ceasing industry funding for academic research on new drugs has not been suggested as those billions of dollars help cover lab costs and other expenses at virtually all U.S. teaching hospitals, medical schools, and affiliated practices, while providing drug developers with credible academic researchers who run their studies.

Pharmaceutical analyst Steve Brozak of WBB Securities said drug makers will find ways to adapt.  “The earlier you can hook one of these doctors, the more loyal they are” to a brand, Brozak said.  David Rothman, president of the Institute on Medicine as a Profession, said about one-fourth of U.S. medical schools now have policies on industry gifts “that really pass muster.”  Some bar sales reps from giving doctors drug samples, yet allow donations to a central location.  “You’re not being bribed, you’re being gifted,” doctors may think, but industry freebies influence prescribing patterns, he warned.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Since the start of my case with the firm. Ms. Joanne, my assigned Nurse as been making that am being treated properly in terms of my injury.
Kirk Stevens
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness
Thomas Carbone
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness B Rollis was very kind, helpful and quickly returned calls regarding any questions I had.
Willie Matos
3 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038