"Doctors Debate the Gift Ban" | Arthritis Information

 

Kinda long video, but presents both sides of the argument:

http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/06/banned-in-boston-two-docs-debate-the-gift-ban/#comments

"As Massachusetts contemplates telling pharma that gifts to docs should be a no-no, a Boston TV station invites Danny Carlat, a psychiatrist and medical gadfly, and Tom Stossel, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to debate the ins and outs.

Stossel, who wrote critcized the proposed legislation in a recent editorial in The Boston Herald, calls the idea ‘draconian,’ and says ‘if I never see another Pfizer mug, I’m not going to worry about it.’ Carlat, meanwhile, says that ‘gifts is another word for bribes.’"

Check it out - the actual Pfizer mug quote is different.  He says if he never sees another Pfizer mug or (gesturing to a mug on the set, implying 'mugs are mugs') a New England Cable Network mug, 'I'm not going to worry about it'.  And the reporter says, "Don't worry, we're not giving you one."  LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

This is amazingly apparent that the JAMA study that showed most MDs and researchers thought they were above being bribed but worried about the other guys - was right. i wanna mug    We love drug reps where I work. They bring us lotsa stuff.... sure mugs, but useful stuff too like bandage scissors, pens, post it notes, and soemtimes they bring us food too. When drug reps come to the ER we usually get a class and free continuing education that the state board of nursing requires. We don't get anything like the physicians do though, they ship them off to exotic locations to do their continuing edu, we just get to go to the breakroom SIGH.I don't care what any of you say - I'm not giving up my foam rubber Viagra tablet, my squishy Toprol-XL heart, my assortment of psychotropic pens, or my collection of T-shirts from various research teams I've been a part of over the years. Only the docs have to give up this stuff - maybe you guys get the trips this time??? [QUOTE=Pip!]Only the docs have to give up this stuff - maybe you guys get the trips this time??? I'm with you JasmineRain.   I love my funky tape dispenser, coolest pens, coloured post-it notes, mugs, staplers, note pads, highlighters, etc.  But the best thing was when the Reps brought in coffee and pastry for afternoon tea ...lolMy older daughter passes out from just about anything at the doctor's office, and they always bring her doughnuts (both the peds' and the dermatologist's office).  I was like, Krispy Kreme!  Those aren't very healthy, why do you have those around all the time?  "Oh, the reps bring them in.  We have more than one box everyday." 
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