Most US neurologists prescribing MS drugs have received pharma industry cash | Nearly 80% of US neurologists prescribing drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS) received at least one pharma industry payment, with higher volume prescribers more likely to be beneficiaries, 5 year study finds

[u/FunnyGamer97]

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1095648

[u/grasshopper239]

I'm not the smartest person ever. But pharmaceutical companies should be exclusively marketing to doctors, not to the public.
I want to throw up every time I hear "ask your prescriber" on TV

[u/NinjaLanternShark → u/grasshopper239]

Pharma companies shouldn't be marketing to doctors either. They should publish their research and doctors should learn about new treatment options through unbiased continuing education.

What makes anyone think that the drug with the biggest marketing budget is automatically the best one to prescribe people?

[u/grasshopper239 → u/NinjaLanternShark]

That sounds even better. All I know is the patient shouldn't be recommending drugs to the doctor

[u/Few-Emergency-3521 → u/grasshopper239]

Doctors literally don't know what they don't know. Which is why a not insignificant number of parents these days are getting diagnosed with ADHD after their kids get diagnosed, for example. 

[u/opisska → u/grasshopper239]

There are two different things here. I live in a country where ads for prescription drugs don't exist (I am not sure if they would even be legally possible), but still I think it's important for the patients to be informed about their choices.

Incidentally for this thread, I have MS myself. The various options differ heavily in possible side effects and general limitations on the recipient's life - and I have very different priorities than the average patient that comes into the office. Yes, it's important to discuss this with the doctor, but the time available for consultation is limited and it's far more efficient to come prepared - especially when you have considerations that the doctor almost never hears.

[u/Hot-Significance7699 → u/grasshopper239]

I think it's ok to ask for the possibility of being prescribed for a certain drug if you have a condition.

[u/grasshopper239 → u/Hot-Significance7699]

Shouldn't your doctor know about all potential treatments and suggest the best one?

[u/Hot-Significance7699 → u/grasshopper239]

That process also requires active input from the patient. You don't know the best treatment until the patient just tries the medication in most cases. Ultimately, it's up to the patient to determine if they want to take the medication the doctor suggest.

People live with conditions for years or decades, it's not like many patients don't have good knowledge about potential treatments. I have schizophrenia and if a new medication comes that doesn't work like traditional antipsychotics (not like abilify either), I will be asking for it. But it's up to the doctor to prescribe it, of course.

I mean, I'm sure an actual doctor understands the process more than us and they don't seem to have a problem with patient asking about medication. So I'm just going to trust the doctors, here.

[u/BraveOthello → u/grasshopper239]

Doctors don't just specialize because they necessarily want to be good at one thing, but because there's too much for one person to know.

Not to mention which is "the best" is a moving target as new treatments are developed, old ones refined, and new information is learned, and that's even assuming "the best" for the average patient works for an individual patient.

[u/Relax_Dude_ → u/grasshopper239]

Its true but patient preferences always play a role. A simple example might be xarelto vs eliquis. While eliquis might be slightly better in side effect profile, it's twice a day, whereas xarelto is once a day. If you're forgetful and might frequently miss that second dose, you're probably better off with the once a day drug. When it comes to inhalers, patients have personal preferences all the time about the different inhaler delivery systems. Some hate the dry powder inhalers and love the respimat. Others have bad hand arthritis and struggle to trigger the respimat and therefore need the MDI's.