Evening the playing field with drug reps?
WSJ.com's Health Blog says bills are going to be introduced in both houses of Congress, perhaps as soon as today, that would "impartial experts to visit doctors to talk about the safety, effectiveness and cost of prescription drugs and other treatments." The idea, which is backed by the Prescription Project, is to counteract the drug company sales reps' presentations with information from a disinterested professional.
I've got a number of questions about this.
First, the bill seems predicated on the notion that the reps may be exercising undue influence over physicians' decisions on whether or not to prescribe certain drugs. Perhaps that's true, but is there any evidence to that effect, let alone enough evidence to justify this practice? (If so, by all means provide a link.)
Second, in this era of record-setting budget deficits, where would the money come from?
And third, the pharmaceutical industry has a lot of influence in Washington. How likely is it that any measure perceived as in any way limiting the industry could make it through Congress, even if the Democrats enlarge their majorities in this year's elections?
