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madokie

(51,076 posts)
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 04:52 AM Jun 2013

How would a person find out if his doctor is taking kickbacks from big pharma

I'm looking for a link that has a list I can search. I'm not asking for medical advice in any way.
My doctor keeps trying to switch me to other meds that do not have generics yet where the ones I take now do. I suspect money is driving this change

40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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How would a person find out if his doctor is taking kickbacks from big pharma (Original Post) madokie Jun 2013 OP
ask him Skittles Jun 2013 #1
That won't get me very far madokie Jun 2013 #3
That was my suggestion also. If I cannot Downwinder Jun 2013 #6
I use the VA madokie Jun 2013 #8
I doubt there is such a database JNelson6563 Jun 2013 #2
I thought I read a while back that there is a data base that covers this madokie Jun 2013 #5
I hope you are right! JNelson6563 Jun 2013 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author Downwinder Jun 2013 #4
Here you go: Systematic Chaos Jun 2013 #7
Wow--what a great link--I'm bookmarking that one!!!! Thanks! nt MADem Jun 2013 #10
Good find! JNelson6563 Jun 2013 #14
EXCELLENT!!! trof Jun 2013 #39
I would ask, straight out, and if you are covered under VA/Tricare, tell the guy that he's MADem Jun 2013 #9
I pay a copay of 8 bucks madokie Jun 2013 #15
You PUSH BACK, and don't take any crap! MADem Jun 2013 #24
I've taken Lisinopril for years and it's worked really well for me. LuvNewcastle Jun 2013 #26
Enalapril is also generic Pmc1962 Jun 2013 #30
Check who attented the last get together malaise Jun 2013 #11
You're welcome! bluedeathray Jun 2013 #12
That doesn't get me anything madokie Jun 2013 #17
? Did you input your doc.s name? bluedeathray Jun 2013 #19
Yes I put in his name and it comes clean madokie Jun 2013 #20
My doc is on there bluedeathray Jun 2013 #21
My neurologist was on there. Downwinder Jun 2013 #23
Some generics are less than claimed. Downwinder Jun 2013 #22
His reasoning for the latest was we have to do something madokie Jun 2013 #25
If you don't like your doctor sorefeet Jun 2013 #31
Try the public library... KansDem Jun 2013 #16
Manufacturers publish little booklets with that information Warpy Jun 2013 #18
my doctor tried to put me on non-generic medication, and I refused... and she didn't argue it. secondwind Jun 2013 #27
Been Going On For Ages... KharmaTrain Jun 2013 #28
Check his/her pulse WilliamPitt Jun 2013 #29
LOL. Good one! ananda Jun 2013 #32
Does he pull out free trial size packages of prescription drugs and give them to you? mick063 Jun 2013 #33
Well, if your doctor refuses to prescribe generic medications and MineralMan Jun 2013 #34
Try a new doctor cbdo2007 Jun 2013 #35
Do they have a pulse? Tom Ripley Jun 2013 #36
Ask NSA for his bank records and emails FarCenter Jun 2013 #37
Check his or her office for swag? (nt) Recursion Jun 2013 #38
Docs get plenty of visits from pharmaceutical reps!!! LeftInTX Jun 2013 #40

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)
6. That was my suggestion also. If I cannot
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:07 AM
Jun 2013

trust a Dr., I find another. I fired one in the hospital room.

JNelson6563

(28,151 posts)
2. I doubt there is such a database
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 04:59 AM
Jun 2013

but it would sure be great if there was! I suspect this is more common than we would like to believe.

Julie

madokie

(51,076 posts)
5. I thought I read a while back that there is a data base that covers this
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:04 AM
Jun 2013

but for the life of me I can't find it. Maybe I'm mis remembering
thanks

Response to madokie (Original post)

MADem

(135,425 posts)
9. I would ask, straight out, and if you are covered under VA/Tricare, tell the guy that he's
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:18 AM
Jun 2013

going to either have to permanently provide you with "free samples" forever and always, because you cannot afford his pricey drugs, or he's going to have to pick and choose the best drugs for you from the Basic Core Formulary.


http://pec.ha.osd.mil/bcf.php?submenuheader=1

madokie

(51,076 posts)
15. I pay a copay of 8 bucks
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:32 AM
Jun 2013

the cost isn't an issue with me. What the drugs do though is. for instance I've been taking lisinopril for a long time with out a problem, recently he switched me to Elanapril and boy was that a mistake. I didn't know if I was scratching my ass or winding my watch. I could come in here and turn on my computer and sit here and look at the screen. I could go out to the shop and look at my tools and wonder what the hell. It made me confused. When I asked to go back to lisinopril you would have thought I'd pulled a gun on him. Me being me though I did get my lisinopril script back and appears he is going to try the same shit again.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
24. You PUSH BACK, and don't take any crap!
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:54 AM
Jun 2013

It's hard enough to get old, we're entitled to our damn marbles if we've still got 'em!

I can't believe the basstid continues trying to fuck you over with a medicine that causes you such dire side effects.

Print out this page (see link below), tell him you want it inserted in your medical record,
and highlight some of these side effects (pick out as many as you please), and tell him you're having them and that this damn medication is contra-indicated because of that. That should end the damn discussion!


Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

little or no urinating;

confusion, loss of appetite, vomiting, pain in your side or lower back;

swelling, rapid weight gain;

weakness, confusion, increased thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

fast or uneven heartbeats;

high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling);

chest pain; or

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).



Read more at http://www.drugs.com/sfx/enalapril-side-effects.html#iqKPF5SfZAziB5sU.99

LuvNewcastle

(16,820 posts)
26. I've taken Lisinopril for years and it's worked really well for me.
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 06:00 AM
Jun 2013

I think your instincts might be right about your doctor. If Lisinopril is working for you, I don't see why he would take you off of it unless he's changed other meds and he thinks another drug might be a better fit. Lisinopril is dirt cheap, so something would have to be seriously wrong before I stopped taking it.

I have a few doctors that I see regularly and they all know to give me generics. I'm on several meds and only two of them are name brand. I'm on Medicare, so cost isn't as big a deal as it is for most people, although my copay is higher for name brands. It's all about the principle for me. I don't want to waste money just because I can.

Pmc1962

(42 posts)
30. Enalapril is also generic
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 07:29 AM
Jun 2013

Both Enalapril and lisinopril ( and pretty much all ACE inhibitors) are generic. They are frequently treated as interchangeable.

Your VA doctor is making zero money by changing one ACE to another. Zero. There is no financial ulterior motive.

Doctors don't make money by changing your hypertension medications.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
17. That doesn't get me anything
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:33 AM
Jun 2013

maybe he's on the up and up but I have my doubts as he's trying to switch me from generics to new name brand
Thanks for the link though, I appreciate it

bluedeathray

(511 posts)
19. ? Did you input your doc.s name?
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:37 AM
Jun 2013

And find out if he or his org. received $ from "big pharm."?

Granted this doesn't define those payments as "kickbacks", but it tells you if he got the bucks.

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)
23. My neurologist was on there.
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:51 AM
Jun 2013

He didn't prescribe what he got a meal for.

When I looked at the side effects i understood why.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
25. His reasoning for the latest was we have to do something
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:57 AM
Jun 2013

when I ask if its a medical reason I get nothing

sorefeet

(1,241 posts)
31. If you don't like your doctor
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 09:18 AM
Jun 2013

request another one. I had to do that. It doesn't mean you'll get a better one. Some of the VA doctors are dangerous. They don't give a fuck about you, they follow policy no matter what. Policy is priority not you. Following policy keeps the pay-check rolling in. Plus most VA doctors don't have the best credentials anyway. I have no respect for anyone who follows policy to the T when they know it is wrong. Anyone who refuses to question authority loses me. Plus lisinopril worked great for me too. BUT after I finally got pain control, I no longer need blood pressure meds. Pain will elevate blood pressure but a doctor doesn't want to prescribe pain meds. They are scared of the DEA in the first place, they would rather you tolerate the pain but they give you blood pressure meds so you don't have a stroke on their watch. Sorry, I have delt with a lot of quacks who have the title doctor. I call the one I got now my probation officer. Can't get my pain pills until I pass a drug test. They are getting more like cops every day.

KansDem

(28,498 posts)
16. Try the public library...
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:33 AM
Jun 2013

The one in my town has this title:

http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0937188670

I even found one of my past doctors in it! His office had a "problem" with billing, however, I don't remember it described as "kickbacks." Too bad, though: I liked him!

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
18. Manufacturers publish little booklets with that information
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 05:37 AM
Jun 2013

and occasionally docs were forgetful and left one of them at the nurses' station. I think they all get the booklets whenever detail men come around. We nurses got pens and post-it notes with drug names on them. Woopie ding.

If the pitchman has made a convincing case for his drug of the month, always a drug on full patent, then the docs might prescribe it and get a little something back. The amounts aren't huge, not big enough to jeopardize a patient's health and get sued over.

Still, good luck to civilians looking for this stuff. In the meantime, talk to your doc and ask him why he thinks an expensive drug would be better than a cheap drug that's working just fine because you're not impressed with gold plated prices.

My own docs are used to having the lists from Wally's and Costco as their formulary in my case. They know if its on patent, I'll get it from Canada.

KharmaTrain

(31,706 posts)
28. Been Going On For Ages...
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 07:20 AM
Jun 2013

...my late father was a GP back in the days when they actually such animals. As a small kid I'd spend time at his office and see a parade of salesmen to give him samples and other "considerations" for prescribing their drugs. Our house was loaded with all types of knick-knacks that said "Geigy" and "Ciba" and "Searle"...as well cards for all occasions.

The doctor isn't necessarily making money here...he would get free samples and reduced prices for his own inventory. He would then pass out those samples to his patients and big pharma made its money on the refills. This was long before generics came on the market. A lot of how I'd deal with this is the relationship that I have with the doctor...if it's someone I can be open with (and I hope one can be open with someone who is looking after their health) then ask about why he's prescribing that specific drug and if there's a generic alternative available.

 

mick063

(2,424 posts)
33. Does he pull out free trial size packages of prescription drugs and give them to you?
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 09:26 AM
Jun 2013

Chances are, he is on the take.

MineralMan

(146,189 posts)
34. Well, if your doctor refuses to prescribe generic medications and
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 09:27 AM
Jun 2013

will only consider the latest release from the pharmaceutical industry, you might have reason to be suspicious. My own primary care physician prescribes generics as the first choice. If they work, then that's good. If not, then he'll work up to more recent medications. So far, the generics have always done what they're supposed to, and they cost very little.

The clinic I go to has a policy against distributing samples, too. These are some of the reasons I chose my physician and my clinic.

LeftInTX

(24,541 posts)
40. Docs get plenty of visits from pharmaceutical reps!!!
Tue Jun 11, 2013, 11:24 AM
Jun 2013

It happens all the time. I've been switched from meds probably for the same reason.

Basically all you can do is speak out. If the doc wants you to switch and a med is working for you then point it out.

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