Another Take on Pharma-Medical School Interactions

An AP article has more on the pharma-medical school debate. See it in the Washington Post. As the article states, medical schools are struggling to define proper patterns of gifts and of allowing pharmaceutical sales reps to see their physicians. The key is getting to them early, although many still claim that gifts do not affect their prescribing habits.

Each institution needs to make their own decision. I have seen both sides of the coin, so to speak. Where I did my internship and residency, gifts and contact by pharmaceutical representatives were allowed; whereas at my child and adolescent residency did not allow any contact with residents at all.