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/Relax_Dude_]

I dont see where they excluded consulting fees, they include the consulting fee data in their tables. They only excluded research grants. Generally "Travel and lodging" for speaking is not categorized under "consulting fee". So thats sorta consistent with what I said that travel and lodging is the highest category, just like the study. I do think this is a 'correlation not causation', just my opinion. In my case I'm more likely to prescribe that biologic having attending the dinner and having gotten comfortable with it. If I didn't have anyone else to talk to about it, I might have referred my patients to someone else to do it, and that someone likely did have some contact with the company. You can believe whatever you want but believing this is a big conspiracy and doctors are somehow paid under the table just makes you sound like the crazy one.

[u/NinjaLanternShark → u/Relax_Dude_]

I make purchasing deciding all the time without anyone buying me dinner. I attend conferences on my own dime, and I don't get paid when I present. I talk to people who use products I'm considering, and get unbiased opinions because they're not trying to sell me the thing we're considering.

I get that it's a cushy arrangement and you have absolutely no reason for wanting it to end. Again, you'll forgive me if I don't accept your justification for why healthcare has to be so rampantly corrupt.

[u/Relax_Dude_ → u/NinjaLanternShark]

You're convinced that it's a corrupt system. You do realize this is all transparent. You can look up any company and any physicians name and see exactly who is giving how much to who, down to the exact dates?

[u/NinjaLanternShark → u/Relax_Dude_]

Wow. Just.... wow.

You're so indoctrinated that you think because it's legal, it's right.

The drug companies pay lobbyists (also public information) to influence Congress to pass laws that allow them to keep money flowing to doctors, to make sure they keep prescribing.

I never said anything about coverups or conspiracies. This is business as usual. Drug companies funnel money to doctors to boost their sales. It's so public they do studies on how effective it is.

That doesn't make it not corrupt.

[u/treehugger100 → u/NinjaLanternShark]

Its Human Behavior 101 that the free meals and perks would influence their prescribing activities. I will never stop being shocked how the medical profession and practitioners defend this obviously corrupt behavior.