There is an interesting article in today's NY Times Magazine  
(November 25, 2007, page 64) called "Dr. Drug Rep" by Daniel Carlat.   
It has implications for how we look at the formula companies and the  
ways they manage to influence health care workers.  Dr. Carlat  
initially felt honored to be invited to give educational talks to  
other physicians about a specific drug.  After a year he quit  
($30,000 richer), troubled by the ethical questions of what he was  
doing.   He describes how he came to downplay worrisome side effects  
and overstate benefits of the drug and all the subtle ways he was  
persuaded to do this.  There is lots of information about how the  
drug companies track physicians' prescription patterns, work to  
ingratiate and befriend health care workers, wine and dine them, etc.

The article is also on line at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/ 
magazine/25memoir-t.html?em&ex=1196139600&en=15660360f7d60ac9&ei=5070

Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC

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