Conflict of interest, or "collaboration"?

Do you trust what your doctor recommends? How about 20,679 Doctors?

I want to use this opportunity to explore the influence pharmaceutical companies have on the choices and education of our medical community. Early in their college careers, aspiring Doctors are exposed to a lot of pharmaceutical reps.  This article, "The Pharmaceutical Industries role in U.S. Medical Education", is so amazing. It highlights this extremely controversial issue. 

Back in 2009, The New York Times explored one student's discovery that his "... Professor was not only a full-time member of the Harvard Medical faculty but a paid consultant to 10 drug companies, including five makers of cholesterol treatments.

They call it "Collaboration"

Do you need a medical reference? Merck makes one! In fact, they have their very own publishing company! Even TIME magazine was concerned. 

So, we should trust that the reason our doctors recommend something is an indication that they themselves have researched the product, and its contraindications and side effects relating to the specific patient, and not that they received a free meal or company swag to influence their decisions? 

Heres a job posting for local Vaccine reps. In the interest of any future readers, I'll post the content of the ad below. 

I'm afraid we live in a world where money is the most important thing, and people are just a means to an end. The company that makes your prescription can be held liable if their product harms you, but not vaccine companies. WHY are vaccines in need of advertising, anyway? In a competitive market, companies are racing to be the first and only company to produce a vaccine. Does that ensure sufficient time for "gold standard" testing? More like medical fast tracking! The Gardasil vaccine is a great example! The Irish Times reported a large number of girls experiencing adverse reactions, and there is even an organization called the Gardasil Girls. Australia experienced something similar.

in 2008, I was in the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, with my now oldest daughter. She was diagnosed as "failure to thrive" and possibly brain-damaging Kernicterus (brain damage caused by dangerous levels of bilirubin). Only one Doctor asked what shots she had received, and I looked into vitamin K with a few of the residents, and the reaction was certainly varied. Most of them had not been taught about vaccine reactions, and the patient in the next bed was a young teenage girl who had received her second installment of Gardasil and had been admitted from the ER with extreme edema of the lower extremities. In laymen's terms, her legs had swollen to tree trunks, and she was unable to walk. Our room had become the vaccine injury room, and most of the Doctors were extremely hesitant to say anything that could possibly come back to haunt them or their careers, in light of possible lawsuits. No one knew we had no "real" recourse. 

Please research ANYTHING you are prescribed or recommended to have implanted. Read ALL inserts or papers you get from the pharmacy or the box the vaccine comes in, We are the only ones who can decide what goes into our bodies, and according to the research I've done recently, we are the only true advocate we have in the medical world.

Vaccine Specialist - Aurora, CO

• Sell priority products in order to meet and exceed annual sales quotas by using the Account Call Model.

• Exceptional delivery of all core arguments and associated product messages. Consistent, excellent implementation of the Sales Action Plan. 

• Communication, coordination and cooperation with fellow representatives, specialty representatives and all of Company Management. 

• Plan and allocate sales activities to the highest potential opportunities to drive results for both the Public and Private markets. 

• Continually gain rapport with increasing number of customers by utilizing professional communication skills. 

• Use consultative selling approaches that satisfy the Company's various customers’ styles and business/product needs. 

• Routinely service and follow up with customers on product purchases and practices. 

• Prospect and qualify new and emerging markets and feedback information to the Company as requested. 

• Operate within assigned budgets.  

     

• Sell priority products in order to meet and exceed annual sales quotas by using the Account Call Model. 

Exceptional delivery of all core arguments and associated product messages. 

Consistent, excellent implementation of the Sales Action Plan.

2a) Plan and allocate sales activities to the highest potential opportunities to drive results for both the Public and Private markets. 

2b) Prospect and qualify new and emerging markets and feedback information to the Company as requested. Operate within assigned budgets. 

2c) Analyze business opportunities and strategically utilize CRB tools and promotional budget to identify the highest value accounts that bring the greatest ROI in sales growth. 

3a) Utilize the ATI selection process to define and refine on a trimester basis ensuring that the highest value accounts are identified within the established guidelines. Utilize BASS reports which include previous sales history & DO potential along with public zip code data. 

3b) Utilize ARIS to achieve optimal reach and frequency to highest potential ATI targets and Physicians by developing a routing plan that achieves a minimum of 6 calls per day and 7 physicians by effectively scheduling appointments and in-services to support the public & private ordering cycle (ie. EOQ, Easy order, Promotions). It is essential that we continue working the entire office and expanding our contacts on each call. 

3c)Effectively promote all assigned franchises in line with the company trimester priorities (ACM) Educate, sell and influence key contacts during each sales call by utilizing core arguments and persuasive selling skills which results in customer behavior change and increased sales. 

3d) Be organized for the sales call with current POA marketing messages and materials. Complete a thorough precall plan by reviewing sales history, script data reporting, previous calls notes in order to develop a Blueprint as a roadmap with specific objectives, methods & actions (SOMA). This involves anticipating and handling objections in order to advance the sale.

• Effective implementation of Customer Relationship Building tactics (i.e. VIMS, EZ Order, Well Connect, etc.), value added services, and Execution of the Action Plan is expected on a consistent basis. Minimum expectations will be stated in the trimester action plan. Any specific territory expectations (exceptions) will be defined and agreed upon between VS and DSM in order to adjust for any specific market conditions. VSs will be accountable for remaining within the allocated territory promotional budget and effective utilization of promotional money to generate positive return on investment (ROI). Adhering to the corporate promotional guidelines while supporting the data requirements for the Sunshine Act.

 • Prepare and conduct consultative business review presentations that differentiate the Company as a business partner by supporting customer objectives and engaging the client in clinical and business conversations. 

• BA. /B.S. required, preferably in Immunology, Biology or Business. 

• 2 years business to business sales experience. 

• A valid driver's license is required along with a record of safe driving record • Strong oral, written and analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to work in teams. Strong time management skills.

in-Training. “The Pharmaceutical Industry's Role in U.S. Medical Education.” In, 5 Apr. 2016, 

       in-training.org/drugged-greed-pharmaceutical-industrys-role-us-medical-education-10639.