Pharma payments to doctors increase inappropriate prescribing and prescription volume
A Cochrane review of dozens of studies finds that gifts from drugmakers boost inappropriate prescribing and the number of prescriptions written.
Industry influence on medical practice
The analysis indicates that financial gifts and payments received by physicians lead to higher rates of inappropriate medication use. Pharmaceutical advertising or educational programs aimed at doctors likely increase the total number of prescriptions written. These activities probably result in rising health care costs for patients and systems.
Effect of conflict-of-interest policies
Policies designed to restrict or manage interactions between companies and medical professionals probably improve overall prescribing practices. The review suggests that managing these relationships helps mitigate the negative effects of industry influence on clinical decisions.
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