Venting here: if food is cut in half to accomodate more people, don't take 2 halves!

[NewRVLady]

Pharmacies sell very detailed reports to the drug companies on what they fill and who wrote the script.



.

AHA!!! THIS explains a LOT!!

DH and I have switched all but one med(no generic for it) to generic

The last switch was MY High Blood pressure meds. Doc was CONFUSED why I wanted generic
I explained -we are retiring this year an want CHEAPER drugs.
All our generics are FREE with current health care at work, and super cheap with a Medicare Supplement ins

 

[scoutie]

And we wonder why drug costs are so high.

The cost of a lunch is the reason drug costs are high?? Personally I would think it would be because of the amount of money put in to research and development.

My friend is a pharma rep. She makes six figures, gets a car, and provides lunches for every doctor's staff.

No one is "pushing" anything to anyone.

My friend is, and so are her colleagues. What she tells me makes me is definitely in the "very shady" category.

 

[declansdad]

My friend is a pharma rep. She makes six figures, gets a car, and provides lunches for every doctor's staff. My friend is, and so are her colleagues. What she tells me makes me is definitely in the "very shady" category.

So you are saying it's not related to the cost of research and development?

 

[scoutie]

So you are saying it's not related to the cost of research and development?

I'm saying that the free lunch isn't the reason the cost of the drugs are high. I'm saying that somebody is paying my friend six figures and is financing her car, along with the 800,000 other drug reps. I get that it's extremely expensive to develop a new drug, but to say that research is the only reason drug costs are so high is a broad statement. With profits of 85 billion, drug companies recognize the value of a free lunch, and pay their reps quite well to give it.

 

[LisaInNc]

If your dd was prescribed allergy meds, did it occur to you to ask the office why? It could be that there was another reason.

You can't just go to the doctor, take the scripts and then gripe about what he does. ASK him/her. If that doesn't work, find a new doctor that you trust. I can't imagine seeing someone for something as important as my health and not trusting him.

Yes of course I asked why he would prescribe a drug like that for a 4 year old. His response was she has an extra crease user her eye and that indicates allergies. I had her tested and then I got a different doctor. She is a teen now and still no sign on them thankfully.

The doctor that prescribed me the medication called it in. I didn't know how much I was getting until I picked it up. He was a specialist that I have no intentions of seeing again.

I am guessing just like with all professions there are different ranges of ethics.

Lisa

 

[declansdad]

I'm saying that the free lunch isn't the reason the cost of the drugs are high. I'm saying that somebody is paying my friend six figures and is financing her car, along with the 800,000 other drug reps. I get that it's extremely expensive to develop a new drug, but to say that research is the only reason drug costs are so high is a broad statement. With profits of 85 billion, drug companies recognize the value of a free lunch, and pay their reps quite well to give it.

Then you are agreeing with me. My original post was in response to a poster that implied all these free lunches were the reason the cost of drugs were high.

I never said research was the only reason.

 

[luvsJack]

Yes of course I asked why he would prescribe a drug like that for a 4 year old. His response was she has an extra crease user her eye and that indicates allergies. I had her tested and then I got a different doctor. She is a teen now and still no sign on them thankfully.

The doctor that prescribed me the medication called it in. I didn't know how much I was getting until I picked it up. He was a specialist that I have no intentions of seeing again.

I am guessing just like with all professions there are different ranges of ethics.

Lisa

I would imagine so.

 

[Hrhpd]

OMG!!!

I work in a Dr's office where pharmaceutical reps will bring in lunch to be able to talk with the Dr's about their product. Today, the rep didn't bring enough food for everyone, so things like rolls and cookies were cut in half.

What is the purpose of cutting food in half to make it go further if people are just going to take 2 halves or more?

One of the nurses took 3 bread rolls and 4 cookies. (halves) WTH?

Anyway, I don't need the cookies or the rolls, but some nurses barely got a lunch.

It amazes me how people only think about themselves.

I am not getting the OP's OMG here.

So? The rep did not bring enough food.

So? There is no cafeteria.

Instead of apparently starving, as the OP implies, why didn't the OP just go to the staff, tell them the rep didn't bring enough food and did anybody want to chip in for takeout.

If the office is closed for lunch, somebody could have run out for fast food or they could have called Pizza Hut.

I have the highest regard for nurses and I have confidence in them that they are awfully good at problem solving.

For the record, I too would think that things were cut in half for ease of eating rather than to ration food portions. I would never imagine one would only be allowed half a cookie.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm a nurse. We aren't any more entitled to free food than anyone else is. Being upset over the fact that you didn‘t get your free cookie is ridiculous.

I have worked with plenty of people, doctors and nurses, that don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom or examining patients. They then manhandle the baked goods in the lounge.So, I don't eat that stuff anyway.

Keep your cookie that most likely has e coli on it...

 

[MM27]

We do a monthly breakfast/lunch where we provide the food and there is one person on staff that always takes if upon herself to cut things in half. It's not due to a shortage of food at all. Muffins, cookies, bagels. All I want is a whole bagel.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

In regards to the original post, I think it was mostly the reps fault for not bringing enough. I am guessing the cutting in half is an attempt to try to stretch out the food. However if 4 1/2 cookies only equals 2 cookies and 3 halves of dinner rolls is only a roll and a half. I guess if she was could see that others were behind her, and saw food was running short it might be a bit uncouth to take that much.

I remember in Home Ec class (yes which was way back in the day), they taught us something about proper protocol for these kinds of things. I remember our teacher telling us "refreshments are not a meal". I forgot the exact numbers, but I am thinking it was never have more than 2 cookies. Also if you are eating soup, scoop away from yourself.

 

[pweyl36]

That's why I was surprised to hear that a "full lunch" provided by a sales rep was considered the norm in some circles. A box of Danish or some cookies wouldn't raise many eyebrows, but an entire lunch? Yep, sounds pretty shady to me.

I don't blame the office staff for accepting the food. But based on the original post, it appears the staff was aware there was a food shortage that day, but at least one person took more than a fair share, knowing others would be deprived.

Its not shady,it how a rep can talk about a new med. We have a staff of about 10 and some times they will let us order what we want of a menu or they will have it catered. we have heard from other reps how greedy some offices are,but my office apreciates the free lunch. Also,the reps have to go thru the front desk first. So they are super nice to us and yes sometimes they do bring goodies. But as for shady I think not.

 

[pweyl36]

This pretty much sums up why I abhor the whole practice. They are banking on doctors writing scrips based on who gave the best luncheon etc.

I can maybe see taking the doc or RNs out to lunch to explain the drugs because they are the ones writing the scrips. And it would be cheaper and smart to just drop off samples for the docs to pass along to patients without the whole wining and dining. Doctors know which patients need free samples and like to see how new drugs are working for their patients.

I don't doubt that nurses and office staff work hard. Most of my closest dear friends and neighbors are in fact doctors, nurses and medical staff. None of them would ever expect or feel entitled for freebies from drug reps.

And it's been mentioned that if you don't keep the staff happy you won't get in to see the doc or get your docs to write those scripts? Well that is beyond disgusting and unprofessional and unethical!

I have to laugh,because this is not how it works. they bring in lunch because that is the only time my dr will see them. We have alot of reps who come in ask if we need samples and alot of time the nurse will tell them we dont use that drug.and they still come in about once a month. My boss is even friendly outside of work and will not use there drug. So no its not about the lunch.

 

[pweyl36]

And, the whole "Free samples help poor needy patients"

Hahahahahah!!!!!!

Those samples of DRUGS are given out by the Dr.'s like candy to any patient that might come into their office.

If these BIG PHARMA want to help 'poor needy patients'... They might want to consider setting up programs to do such... Or hey, how about offering drugs at more reasonable prices (which CAN be done... drugs cost WAY, WAY, WAY, more here in the US than they do in other countries) Instead of ripping us off thru the whole BIG PHARMA AND INSURANCE.

I know this a bit off topic from the OP's post.
But, when somebody tries to defend the free samples along with full meals for entire medical practices...

Does NOT fly.

Only makes me go

They do have programs,again if you dont work in a drs office then you dont know about the process of the drug reps.

 

[godoftheWorld]

I'm just saying that the rep's goal is to get the entire staff on their side. They are taught to sell to the entire staff, not just the doctor. The staff are the gatekeepers, often affecting product placement in the sample closet and controlling whether you get access to the doctor next time you stop by. Ticking off the staff is a big mistake.

We'll heck, if you guys have that much control, fire the doctor and everyone gets a raise.

 

[mom2rtk]

We'll heck, if you guys have that much control, fire the doctor and everyone gets a raise.

I wasn't part of the doctor's staff. I was a drug rep.

But sure. Give them all raises. Tell them I said it was ok.

 

[godoftheWorld]

I wasn't part of the doctor's staff. I was a drug rep.

But sure. Give them all raises. Tell them I said it was ok.

Then I suggest you bring Plenty of food with you.....

 

[mom2rtk]

Then I suggest you bring Plenty of food with you.....

So I've heard!

 

[LisaInNc]

We do a monthly breakfast/lunch where we provide the food and there is one person on staff that always takes if upon herself to cut things in half. It's not due to a shortage of food at all. Muffins, cookies, bagels. All I want is a whole bagel.

I don't mind things being cut in half. That is usually all I need and in a lot of "banquet fill your own plate" type scenarios I don't feel comfortable with touching food to cut it in half so the half I don't eat often gets wasted which is something I hate.

Lisa

 

[Nola Girl]

I agree with the OP. DH 's place of business has a chef that prepares lunch daily for his employees. They are all men so he prepares for big appetites but not for gluttony. A new employee this summer was taking double and triple portions to the point that DH was going without lunch because he is the boss. Plating in advance did not work either as the offender would dump a second and sometimes third plate onto his. Finally DH had to confront the offender who answered, "but it is free". Some people just don't think.