As a physician, monitoring what people take is critical. And while selling products directly to patients may require physicians to carefully balance their financial well-being with their patients' interests, supporters point out that medicine is full of such choices. When I do a catheterization, when a patient comes in for a visit, I make an income. I know doctors who do an EKG every visit. Orthopedists sell crutches.
Ophthalmologists sell glasses.
Anything can be abused. Worse than just profiting from their powerful relationships with patients, critics say, some physicians are peddling products that do little, if any, good. Dr. Fleming from the College's ethics committee acknowledges that conflicts of interest are inherent in the practice of medicine, but he believes that physicians must adhere to scientific principles to maintain society's respect in the long run. In his view, many of the nutritional supplements being sold to patients do not meet the highest standards. I continually challenge myself that way.