A bill for common sense, from our Nation's Capital
The pharmaceutical industry is less than pleased about the aggressive stance the D.C. Council is taking when it comes to how drug companies do business. Legislation was introduced on how to set limits on the level of influence pharmaceutical reps hold over doctors within the District of Columbia.
They're the first city in the nation to consider a measure that would require drug reps to be licensed to do what they do. You can just about hear the roar coming from the drug companies, who must feel the noose tightening around their bottom line.
This legislation, called the SafeRx Act, is in response to the over-the-top influencing these reps have over busy doctors. As I've explained before, this, in turn has a direct influence on that doctor's patients.
One criticism of the drug companies is their hiring practices. They hire based on criteria that does not include any relevant health care training or education. Where I come from, that's even less than "knowing just enough to be dangerous."
But these folks are "educating" your doctor on many drugs that will be used to treat very serious conditions. Remember, these are sales people, not medical experts. Oftentimes, they're passing along information to your doctor that has come to them second- and third-hand, and who knows what could have been lost in the translation.
A drug rep's first priority is meeting their sales quota. It is not the safety and welfare of patients. Some lawmakers finally recognized this simple fact and are moving to protect their constituents.
This bill is attempting to put some sort of a standard in place. One requirement, in addition to holding a Board of Pharmacy license, would be that drug reps would have to hold at least a bachelor's degree. They'd also have to supply a notarized signature of an industry code of ethics.
To further fan the flames, the bill even removes the ability of drug reps to use data that shows trends for which doctors are prescribing what. The only way they can use the data is if they gain permission directly from the doctor. I used to be part of a small group practice. Most of them quickly caught on and paid a lot less attention to me compared to the others in the practice. Just as well!
Drug company supporters argue that the FDA already does this sort of regulation.
…And we all know how well that has been working.
