Four Reasons Our Office Is Pharma-Free

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America recently revised its voluntary Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals to discourage drug companies from giving physicians free gifts such as non-educational lunches and items imprinted with their product logos. The new guidelines went into effect January 1. Physicians were told that they could still meet with pharmaceutical reps or go to drug company-sponsored events on their own time, but not in the office. Here are the reasons why physicians decided to eliminate pharmaceutical reps from their practice entirely: 1. It's the best policy for their patients. 2. It relieved them of their sample closet. 3. They're more efficient without detailing visits. 4. They'd rather advertise their own office. Eliminating samples and visits from drug reps may not be the best policy for every office, but physicians' group has found advantages, including greater respect from their patients.