Parker Waichman LLP

Doctors Paid by Drug Companies are More Likely to Prescribe More Brand Names

According to a ProPublica analysis, physicians who are paid by pharmaceutical companies prescribe drugs differently from colleagues who do not. Additionally, on average the likelihood of prescribing brand name medications increased with the more money received. Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said “It again confirms the prevailing wisdom […]

According to a ProPublica analysis, physicians who are paid by pharmaceutical companies prescribe drugs differently from colleagues who do not. Additionally, on average the likelihood of prescribing brand name medications increased with the more money received. Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said “It again confirms the prevailing wisdom … that there is a relationship between payments and brand-name prescribing,” Dr. Kesselheim provided guidance on the early versions of ProPublica’s analysis. “This feeds into the ongoing conversation about the propriety of these sorts of relationships. Hopefully we’re getting past the point where people will say, ‘Oh, there’s no evidence that these relationships change physicians’ prescribing practices.’”

The analysis compared payments from industry to doctors’ treatment decisions in Medicare’s prescription drug program. Receiving an industry payment was associated with a two to three-fold increased likelihood of prescribing brand name drugs at very high rates compared to other physicians in the specialty. The analysis showed that even small payments, such as meal, was linked to different prescribing habits.

The analysis does not prove that doctors prescribed a certain way because of industry payments. The correlational approach only indicates that payments are associated with a tendency to prescribe in a manner that is beneficial to drug makers.

Brand name drugs are more expensive than generics, which work just as well in most patients. For some medications, the generic version is not exactly the same as the brand name but is similar.
The ProPublica analysis showed that the proportion of doctors who receive industry payments varies between states. Compared to Vermont, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Maine, the rate in Nevada, Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina was twice as high.

“You can debate if these payments are good or bad, or neither, but what isn’t debatable is that they permeate the profession.” said Dr. Walid Gellad, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and co-director of its Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing, who reviewed the analysis.

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
Parker Waichman LLP- Paralegal, Jessie Salcedo, she is professional and has been very helpful. I am a new mom and a newlywed so my life is very chaotic at times. Sometimes it's hard todo anything else but my basic day to day stuff. They have made this process very easy for me. All I've really had todo is provide some information and they have handled everything else. I greatly appreciate their services and would refer them to anyone. Also, they remembered my birthday this past September. They sent me a card. Most of my friends don't remember my birthday. To me, that was going out of their way just to brighten my day and I really appreciated it.
GunRivGen
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Nicholas W. is the best! I could not give higher praises. He took a bad situation and made it better. Thank you.
Erma Conner
7 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
I am really satisfied with service I was provided. I’d like to thank Maryann and Jorge for always helping with my process. Excellent service 100% recommended.
Herí Rodriguez
8 months 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