Doctors’ freebies will be free no more,  The Olympian, Wednesday, June
12, 2002

 

Montpelier    Vermont is about to become the first state to take aim at
drug companies practice of lavishing doctors and nurses with everything
from ball point pens to free trips.

 

Under a law that Gov. Howard Dean, a doctor, plans to sign Thursday, any
gifts valued at $25 or more, other than free drug samples, must be
reported to the state by pharmaceutical companies.

 

Critics of the pharmaceutical industry charge that the use of freebies
by sales representatives to promote products drives up medical costs by
encouraging doctors to prescribe new, more expensive brand name drugs.

 

 

Judy Ritch


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