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/NinjaLanternShark]

So how much are these docs getting paid?

The average individual amount received was US$779, but 10% of recipients amassed US$155.7 million between them

Holy snot! The average amount is $779 but among the top 10%, the average amount is $268,448!

US$50 was associated with a 10% greater likelihood of prescribing that company’s drugs

OK, this feels like it could be education. Come to a conference, learn about a drug, have a few drinks on us.

US$5000 with a 50% greater likelihood

And that's a kickback.

[u/JJiggy13 → u/NinjaLanternShark]

This is small potatoes. It is also not a high enough dollar amount to be an effective kickback. If a doctor was hard up for $779 they could just pick up an extra hour of work. This is not enough money to consider it as a possibility of a source of physicians ordering more of a drug for this money. It's actually low enough to eliminate it as a factor.

[u/zo_-_- → u/JJiggy13]

You think doctors are paid by the hour?

[u/somehugefrigginguy → u/zo_-_-]

In a lot of cases, yes. There's a base salary, but plenty of moonlighting opportunities. Need a little extra cash, pick up an extra shift and get paid hourly.

[u/JJiggy13 → u/zo_-_-]

You think that there are some who are not?