Doctors paid by Big Pharma for their endorsements on clarkhoward.com

There is a scandal that's broken in a very unlikely place -- the Journal of the American Medical Association. Some doctors have been selling their names to be fake front people on articles running in medical journals. Merck ran 72 different fake medical review articles touting Vioxx, with endorsements from respected physicians. The doctors got $2,500 to sell their souls. It was never disclosed that they were paid for the use of their names. This is a true scandal because Vioxx actually harmed people. It amazes Clark that doctors allowed their reputations to be sullied for a relative pittance. So when you see an ad on TV for a hot new drug, you have to realize that it's just propaganda. Many times a generic or over-the-counter drug would work just as well.

In another disturbing trend, some medications are so expensive that they're being classified as Tier 4 drugs by the insurance companies. The new classification has priced low-income Medicare patients out of the market. The real tragedy is that T4 pricing has been applied to medications for chronic conditions like cancer. Clark wonders about the ethics behind the decision to reclassify a drug as T4. Be sure to let him know what you think by voting in the latest poll.

What others are saying

THAILAND DENTAL VAVA ALONE
I AM 44 YR OLD DISABLED FLIGHT ATTENDANT OF 21 YRS. MY BROTHER IS SENDING ME TO THAILAND ON HIS FREE AIR MILES AND PAYING FOR HOTEL AND TONS OF DENTAL NEEDS NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND IT IS CHEAP, THANK GOD, IS IT FAIRLY SAFE FOR ME TO BE ALONE?? I AM NOT A STRANGER TO TRAVELING ALONE TO MEXICO ECT. BUT, I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THAILAND. ANY TIPS? THE GOVERNMENT, AIRLINE INDUSTRY,& MEDICAL WORLDS HAVE LEFT ME BY THE WAY SIDE. THANK YOU!!!
By THERESA CAPTAIN @ 04/26/08 04:44:09 PMreport abuse
The Authors of the Study
Unfortunately what has not been mentioned is the authors of the JAMA article were paid by the platiff's attorneys in the Vioxx case. And used the lawsuit to gain access to the documents used to draw the flawed conclusion. All of the so called sell out doctors have since confirmed their primary involvement in each of the 72 articles questioned.

Using 'ghost writers' is a common practice in medicine. How many doctor's do you know that are also writers? It doesn't mean the science is faulty or the facts are wrong because someone else put them on paper.
By MB @ 04/22/08 11:12:41 AMreport abuse
PHARMCO is Congress
Prior to the FDA, the first public outcry for protection from falsly advertised drugs resulted in a 1906 ban on any product to be consumed by human beings that would cause death. Both Congress and the drug companies resisted the effort, but the American public demanded reform. Unfortunatly, little has changed in a century. The PHARMCO drug lobby writes the legislation that Congress enters verbatem into legislation that impacts all Americans - just research the source of language in the latest Medicare Drug Bill. PHARMCO doesn't consult with Congress, they dictate to Congress - perhaps that is why there are more than 1,200 drug lobbyists inside the beltway of DC. We as citizens must protect ourselves as was done in 1906.
By HYGIA @ 04/17/08 10:35:00 PMreport abuse
Pharmacy
First comes money, then comes agenda. It's the doctors, AMA, Insurance Companies, law makers, drug companies, and yes....the FDA.

1. The drug companies compete with each other. They need to get drugs approved prior to the patents running out. In many cases, the drugs are more dangerous with greater side effects. Drug companies provide docs with many perks such as lunch, conference outings, etc., to promote their products. None of this strikes me as ethical.
2. The insurance companies, doctors, etc., meet at least annually to decide what drugs will be Tier 4 (what will generate more money). Consumer access, safety, and affordablity are usually not the top considerations. Medicare as well as other consumers can not afford necessary treatment.

There seems to be a theme .......money.

Interesting, but, medical costs continue to skyrocket, while actual benefits and access to health care decrease each year. Medical care itself has become much more fragmented with no accountability. The ultimate victim from a cost and care perspective is the average consumer.

What you don't hear about is the impact of poor quality on Cost - The results would be shocking. Sorry to run on, couldn't help myself. This is all just my opinion.
By Rhonda @ 04/17/08 09:50:59 PMreport abuse
healthcare
I am shocked at the survey results and very pleased. I thought the readers of this site were "free market or die." Someone has got to step in and stop the insuranced companies.
By Doris Sumner @ 04/17/08 08:17:21 PMreport abuse
Socialized Medicine
I agree with the person who said "What good is having the best health care system in the world if we can't afford to use it?" I had a kidney stone removed and my co-pay was over $2,000! I would favor a lesser quality system that would be available to everyone. Let those who can afford a trip abroad have the latest and greatest care. Mediocre care is better than no care at all.
By Barbara @ 04/17/08 05:22:16 PMreport abuse
Socialized Healthcare is a proven failed system.
Why do people that are residents of Canada come to the USA to have dental work done or medical operations? Why do (those who can afford it) people in Europe come to the USA for medical operations? There is no significant waiting lists for most treatments.

It would be DETRIMENTAL for the U.S. economy. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If something is perceived as free, people will consume more of it than they would if they had to pay for it. Think of it this way: if food were free, would you eat hamburger or steak? There are only so many doctors, so many hospital beds and so much technology. If people over consume those resources, it drives up the cost of health care. Where is the government going to get this money? Yes, that's right... our wallets. It scares me, a 26 year old, to think of what the condition of this country will be in another 10 or 20 years with those of you people who think "free handouts" are the way to go. You say, "But what about those people that are dying because they can't afford health care?" My response is "How many people will die if they have to be put on WAITING LISTS to receive care?" There are already programs and institutions in place that offer care to people that do not have insurance. Many people do not even utilize these.
By one of the few sane people left? @ 04/17/08 05:05:51 PMreport abuse
Your doctor knows drug pricing?
I'd be curious to know what you doctor uses, CB. Drug pricing schedules varies across insurance companies. Since you say that he doesn't give you specific costs, it's my suspicion that he's just keenly aware of how much things cost. I could be wrong, though.
By Medical Student @ 04/17/08 02:07:57 PMreport abuse
T4 Drug Pricing
I can now agree 100% with socialized medicine! Drug companies want us to believe they give medications to those who can't afford it. I know a hard working lady who tried to get those "free" medications. We helped her complete each form in detail last year. She has yet to see the first free pill!
By Average Joe @ 04/17/08 12:30:32 PMreport abuse
Drug Pricing
Clark mentioned that his son's doctor was not aware of drug prices. Our pediatrician has software loaded in his PDA with drugs and costs. Possibly a PDA version of the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference)? Anyhow, he'll discuss drug choices and cost information with us during the visit. He doesn't have specific costs but relative costs. It has saved us hundreds in prescriptions costs. We use the more expensive options only when it's the best fit for the problem.
By CB @ 04/17/08 12:21:51 PMreport abuse
Shame on Doctors! You expect this from Big Pharma!
To be totally honest, ghost writers appear in pure academia as well. If you happen to have a special reagent that only you have, you can generally bully your way into authorship by lending out our special thing to others in exchange for authorship. This isn't really any different. EXCEPT, that the doctors who lent out their names failed to disclose their conflicts of interest which is a big no-no.
By Medical Student @ 04/17/08 12:03:44 PMreport abuse
T4 drug pricing
There are so many programs for the poor to get the meds they need. For every sad story, I can give you 10 stories where Big Pharma (an industry that creates 25K good US jobs) donates meds to those who need them.
By PD @ 04/17/08 09:57:44 AMreport abuse
If we can't afford drugs in private care, how will "the Government" afford it? Taxes. There is no unlimited source of money.

In order to bring the costs down for individuals you have to spread them out among others. This is what insurance companies (or sociallized medicine) does. The healthy pay for the sick in both cases. Of course, the more money paid to care for the sick, the higher the premiums (or taxes) become for everyone else.

There are other programs for people who cannot afford necessary drugs. Those may not be sufficient, though. We do have to be careful not to discourage companies from researching new drugs or doing enough testing to make sure they are safe and effective.
By Eric @ 04/17/08 09:44:11 AMreport abuse
drug pricing
In a free market, they can set whatever prices that they desire. Go to India, Thailand or numerous other countries offering extremely high quality care for affordable costs. I did and was delighted!
By Sandi @ 04/17/08 09:36:06 AMreport abuse
Tier 4 Drugs
This makes socialized medicine look better and better. What good is having the best health care system in the world if we can't afford to use it?
By PJ @ 04/17/08 05:40:56 AMreport abuse

THAILAND DENTAL VAVA ALONE

I AM 44 YR OLD DISABLED FLIGHT ATTENDANT OF 21 YRS. MY BROTHER IS SENDING ME TO THAILAND ON HIS FREE AIR MILES AND PAYING FOR HOTEL AND TONS OF DENTAL NEEDS NEEDED. I UNDERSTAND IT IS CHEAP, THANK GOD, IS IT FAIRLY SAFE FOR ME TO BE ALONE?? I AM NOT A STRANGER TO TRAVELING ALONE TO MEXICO ECT. BUT, I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THAILAND. ANY TIPS? THE GOVERNMENT, AIRLINE INDUSTRY,& MEDICAL WORLDS HAVE LEFT ME BY THE WAY SIDE. THANK YOU!!!

By THERESA CAPTAIN @ 04/26/08 04:44:09 PMreport abuse

The Authors of the Study

Unfortunately what has not been mentioned is the authors of the JAMA article were paid by the platiff's attorneys in the Vioxx case. And used the lawsuit to gain access to the documents used to draw the flawed conclusion. All of the so called sell out doctors have since confirmed their primary involvement in each of the 72 articles questioned.

Using 'ghost writers' is a common practice in medicine. How many doctor's do you know that are also writers? It doesn't mean the science is faulty or the facts are wrong because someone else put them on paper.

By MB @ 04/22/08 11:12:41 AMreport abuse

PHARMCO is Congress

Prior to the FDA, the first public outcry for protection from falsly advertised drugs resulted in a 1906 ban on any product to be consumed by human beings that would cause death. Both Congress and the drug companies resisted the effort, but the American public demanded reform. Unfortunatly, little has changed in a century. The PHARMCO drug lobby writes the legislation that Congress enters verbatem into legislation that impacts all Americans - just research the source of language in the latest Medicare Drug Bill. PHARMCO doesn't consult with Congress, they dictate to Congress - perhaps that is why there are more than 1,200 drug lobbyists inside the beltway of DC. We as citizens must protect ourselves as was done in 1906.

By HYGIA @ 04/17/08 10:35:00 PMreport abuse

Pharmacy

First comes money, then comes agenda. It's the doctors, AMA, Insurance Companies, law makers, drug companies, and yes....the FDA.

1. The drug companies compete with each other. They need to get drugs approved prior to the patents running out. In many cases, the drugs are more dangerous with greater side effects. Drug companies provide docs with many perks such as lunch, conference outings, etc., to promote their products. None of this strikes me as ethical.
2. The insurance companies, doctors, etc., meet at least annually to decide what drugs will be Tier 4 (what will generate more money). Consumer access, safety, and affordablity are usually not the top considerations. Medicare as well as other consumers can not afford necessary treatment.

There seems to be a theme .......money.

Interesting, but, medical costs continue to skyrocket, while actual benefits and access to health care decrease each year. Medical care itself has become much more fragmented with no accountability. The ultimate victim from a cost and care perspective is the average consumer.

What you don't hear about is the impact of poor quality on Cost - The results would be shocking. Sorry to run on, couldn't help myself. This is all just my opinion.

By Rhonda @ 04/17/08 09:50:59 PMreport abuse

healthcare

I am shocked at the survey results and very pleased. I thought the readers of this site were "free market or die." Someone has got to step in and stop the insuranced companies.

By Doris Sumner @ 04/17/08 08:17:21 PMreport abuse

Socialized Medicine

I agree with the person who said "What good is having the best health care system in the world if we can't afford to use it?" I had a kidney stone removed and my co-pay was over $2,000! I would favor a lesser quality system that would be available to everyone. Let those who can afford a trip abroad have the latest and greatest care. Mediocre care is better than no care at all.

By Barbara @ 04/17/08 05:22:16 PMreport abuse

Socialized Healthcare is a proven failed system.

Why do people that are residents of Canada come to the USA to have dental work done or medical operations? Why do (those who can afford it) people in Europe come to the USA for medical operations? There is no significant waiting lists for most treatments.

It would be DETRIMENTAL for the U.S. economy. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If something is perceived as free, people will consume more of it than they would if they had to pay for it. Think of it this way: if food were free, would you eat hamburger or steak? There are only so many doctors, so many hospital beds and so much technology. If people over consume those resources, it drives up the cost of health care. Where is the government going to get this money? Yes, that's right... our wallets. It scares me, a 26 year old, to think of what the condition of this country will be in another 10 or 20 years with those of you people who think "free handouts" are the way to go. You say, "But what about those people that are dying because they can't afford health care?" My response is "How many people will die if they have to be put on WAITING LISTS to receive care?" There are already programs and institutions in place that offer care to people that do not have insurance. Many people do not even utilize these.

By one of the few sane people left? @ 04/17/08 05:05:51 PMreport abuse

Your doctor knows drug pricing?

I'd be curious to know what you doctor uses, CB. Drug pricing schedules varies across insurance companies. Since you say that he doesn't give you specific costs, it's my suspicion that he's just keenly aware of how much things cost. I could be wrong, though.

By Medical Student @ 04/17/08 02:07:57 PMreport abuse

T4 Drug Pricing

I can now agree 100% with socialized medicine! Drug companies want us to believe they give medications to those who can't afford it. I know a hard working lady who tried to get those "free" medications. We helped her complete each form in detail last year. She has yet to see the first free pill!

By Average Joe @ 04/17/08 12:30:32 PMreport abuse

Drug Pricing

Clark mentioned that his son's doctor was not aware of drug prices. Our pediatrician has software loaded in his PDA with drugs and costs. Possibly a PDA version of the PDR (Physicians Desk Reference)? Anyhow, he'll discuss drug choices and cost information with us during the visit. He doesn't have specific costs but relative costs. It has saved us hundreds in prescriptions costs. We use the more expensive options only when it's the best fit for the problem.

By CB @ 04/17/08 12:21:51 PMreport abuse

Shame on Doctors! You expect this from Big Pharma!

To be totally honest, ghost writers appear in pure academia as well. If you happen to have a special reagent that only you have, you can generally bully your way into authorship by lending out our special thing to others in exchange for authorship. This isn't really any different. EXCEPT, that the doctors who lent out their names failed to disclose their conflicts of interest which is a big no-no.

By Medical Student @ 04/17/08 12:03:44 PMreport abuse

T4 drug pricing

There are so many programs for the poor to get the meds they need. For every sad story, I can give you 10 stories where Big Pharma (an industry that creates 25K good US jobs) donates meds to those who need them.

By PD @ 04/17/08 09:57:44 AMreport abuse

If we can't afford drugs in private care, how will "the Government" afford it? Taxes. There is no unlimited source of money.

In order to bring the costs down for individuals you have to spread them out among others. This is what insurance companies (or sociallized medicine) does. The healthy pay for the sick in both cases. Of course, the more money paid to care for the sick, the higher the premiums (or taxes) become for everyone else.

There are other programs for people who cannot afford necessary drugs. Those may not be sufficient, though. We do have to be careful not to discourage companies from researching new drugs or doing enough testing to make sure they are safe and effective.

By Eric @ 04/17/08 09:44:11 AMreport abuse

drug pricing

In a free market, they can set whatever prices that they desire. Go to India, Thailand or numerous other countries offering extremely high quality care for affordable costs. I did and was delighted!

By Sandi @ 04/17/08 09:36:06 AMreport abuse

Tier 4 Drugs

This makes socialized medicine look better and better. What good is having the best health care system in the world if we can't afford to use it?

By PJ @ 04/17/08 05:40:56 AMreport abuse

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Apr 16, 2008 -- Doctors paid by Big Pharma for their endorsements

What others are saying