Its director, Dr. Bob Goodman, says the pledge is designed to educate and convince physicians not to accept free products from drug companies. Goodman, a general internist in New York City, said in a Jan. 15 interview that he has not yet tallied the number of physicians who have taken the pledge. Gifts from US drug companies to physicians range from free flights to attend conferences to tickets to sporting events and enticements such as free samples and pens.
Some studies indicate that the gifts affect prescribing practices .
But Dr. Joel Lexchin, a Toronto emergency physician who has been a longtime critic of drug company promotions, says freebies are still common. Goodman is particularly concerned about the free drug samples that are provided routinely in both countries. He says that even though the samples may help poor people, patients end up paying for them through generally higher drug prices. If they work, says Goodman, a physician is more likely to prescribe them, increasing the cost to the patient or insurer. It s ingenious.