MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'freebies'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:11:31 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5029205&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fm__LsA3oi6M%2F In the latest move by the Republican-dominated legislature in Maine to undo laws that have made the pharmaceutical industry uncomfortable, three bills were repealed this week that required drugmakers to report three things: marketing costs, prices subject to the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program and negative findings in clinical trials. The action follows an effort last month to repeal a 2003 law that was created to prevent pharmacy benefit managers from switching patients to more expensive drugs and protect consumers from co-payments when actual drug prices are cheaper (back story). Taken together, Maine Democrats say the various repeals will roll back important patient safety protections. “It’s part of the pro-pharma agenda being pushed in Maine these days,” says Sharon Trea... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5029205 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:08:47 +0100 5029205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992992&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F4WWaHl1UN4I%2F After months of contentious debate, the Massachusetts legislature reached accord on a state budget last night, but the many provisions failed to include a long-standing effort to repeal the 2008 law that bans drug and device makers from giving gifts to docs. And the budget also failed to overturn a Massachusetts ban on coupons - the only such state ban in the country (read the budget). The effort to repeal the gift ban had passed the House just two months ago in a bipartisan, 128-to-22 vote that reflected heavy lobbying by drugmakers and biotechs, which argued the law robbed the state of revenue from two medical conventions that held their events elsewhere. However, local restaurants also claimed a drop in business could be traced to the ban (see here). However, their argument lost credibi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992992 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:51:11 +0100 4992992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911819&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpiJzMoYrTX4%2F And yet another country wants to get tough on the interactions between docs and drugmakers. This time, India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals is proposing an updated Uniform Code of Marketing Practice for drugmakers that would tighten rules on doling out samples and encounters between docs and reps. The revised code, which is voluntary, would also improve procedures for reporting complaints. Among the dictums: the code requires employees who draft promotional materials to be familiar with the rules; promotional material such as mailings and journal ads must not be designed to disguise their real nature, and sales reps “must not employ any inducement or subterfuge to gain an interview. They must not pay, under any guise, for access to a healthcare professional.” In general,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911819 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:01:56 +0100 4911819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862923&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FS4p18a2bMJQ%2F Health Department workers in West Australia have received $745,000 worth of gifts, business class flights and hotel accommodations from drug and device makers, many of which sell meds and equipment to area hospitals, The West Australian reports. According to documents revealed in Parliament, between last July and April 6, there 259 instances in which perks - including champagne, iPads, flights and hotel packages to Paris, Vienna, Montreal and Los Angeles - were accepted. More than half of the gifts or trips were accepted by staff from the South Metropolitan Area Health Service, which is headed by Nicole Feely, a former chief of staff to former Prime Minister John Howard, the paper writes. And the goodies included return business-class flights to New Orleans and six nights accommodation wo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862923 Wed, 25 May 2011 12:03:00 +0100 4862923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4848151&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FHW9228lhNLE%2F Last month, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to repeal a 2008 law that bans drug and device makers from giving gifts to docs. The law, which you can see here and here, was seen as a way to limit undue industry influence over medical practice. But the ban has upset doctors, and pitted various consumer and patient groups against the state’s restauranteurs and drug and device makers ever since. Those in favor of repeal argue the ban stifled business seeking to expand in Massachusetts and robbed the state of revenue from two medical conventions that held their events elsewhere (back story). “I think we acted in haste,” state legislator James Miceli, who voted in favor of the ban originally but recently voted to overturn the law, recently told WB... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4848151 Fri, 20 May 2011 11:46:06 +0100 4848151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759040&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9a0xO_8AxcM%2F For the second time in less than a year, the Massachusetts House of Representatives has attempted to repeal a 2008 law that bans drug and device makers from giving gifts to docs. An effort last summer failed (read here). This time, however, a repeal is gaining traction. A bipartisan majority voted 128-to-22 yesterday to overturn the ban. The law, which you can read here and here, was seen as a way to limit undue industry influence over medical practice. But the ban has upset doctors, and pitted various consumer and patient groups against restauranteurs and the pharmaceutical and device industries ever since. Those in favor of repeal argue the ban stifled business seeking to expand in Massachusetts and robbed the state of revenue from two medical conventions that held their events elsewhere... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759040 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:13:56 +0100 4759040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636659&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F5PvEgH1s4QA%2F The pharmaceutical industry has traditionally established ties to doctors during their formative years in residency programs, but more recently, drugmakers have been shunned by several high-profile academic medical centers over concerns of undue influence on medical practice. Now, a new study in Academic Medicine finds that a wide array of family medicine residencies are taking similar steps. The researchers conducted a nationwide survey of family medicine residencies to determine the extent and type of industry interactions with trainees and to identify so-called pharma-free residencies that avoided iindustry influence. And so they e-mailed four questions to residency directors or coordinators at all 460 accredited US family med residencies. In all, 286 replied. The findings: 75 residenc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636659 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:11:57 +0100 4636659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536450&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FJSq-o0X96Eo%2F In 2007, US Army Major Jason Layne Davis, who was the chief cardiologist at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, was paid $4,812 by Boston Scientific’s Guidant unit to “train” two of the device maker’s sales reps. Specifically, they watched as he implanted devices in patients during seven procedures. And between 2006 and 2009, Guidant also gave Davis meals and other goodies, while he used almost exclusively the company’s pacemakers and defibrillators. And so in January, Davis was charged with a misdemeanor for accepting funds from an illegal source and he pleaded guilty to what amounted to accepting kickbacks (here is the plea). The inference is that the federal government has opened a new front on the war against undue influence by drug and devi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536450 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:54:43 +0100 4536450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4536452&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FVJ9GxGN_-Fg%2F Ohio may become the next state to require drugmakers to report gifts they give to doctors. However, the bill, which was recently introduced in the state Senate, effectively mirrors a provision of health care reform that is scheduled to go into effect in 2013, although the Ohio legislation does not pertain to device makers. The legislation, which you can read here, would require drugmakers to submit annual reports showing the “value, nature and purpose” of any gift given to a doctor or other healthcare provider in connection with promoting or marketing a drug. There is, however, a $25 cutoff, while violations would cost up to $10,000 in fines. The Ohio State Medical Association “supports transparency in this area as long as the responsibility for providing this transparen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4536452 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:53:08 +0100 4536452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489974&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FUmyd6rj5pDg%2F Much is made of the interactions between doctors and drugmakers and, specifically, the extent to which certain practices, such as free meals, may unduly influence medical practice and prescribing habits. But, of course, there are other healthcare professionals in the equation, such as nurse practitioners. And a recent study in the American Journal of Managed Care argues that marketing toward this group deserves similar scrutiny. A few findings: Nearly all of the NP’s - 96 percent - reported regular contact with reps and most - 71 percent - say they received info on new drugs directly from reps some or most of the time. Meanwhile, 61 percent reported it was acceptable for drugmakers to provide small gifts and meals to clinical offices, although 93 percent said gifts had no effect on t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489974 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:39:15 +0100 4489974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013541&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIHkcaJkoVaw%2F Just how aware are doctors of the various methods used to influence their prescribing? To gauge their understanding, PharmedOut, a project based at Georgetown University Medical Center that tracks pharmaceutical marketing, designed a one-hour presentation that was given to 373 physicians, residents and medical students at grand rounds or seminars at various hospitals. The presentation attempted to sift through the varying messages and implications associated with such activities or items as sampling, medical journal advertising, detailing time spent with doctors, meals and freebies, including pens. There were also slides about prescription tracking and the amount of money spent by the pharmaceutical industry on overall marketing, not just to doctors (see the slides here). Before and after ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013541 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:22:04 +0100 4013541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3973112&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRb9UzJInrkA%2F Among the many contentious debates embroiling the pharmaceutical industry in recent years is the argument that freebies given to doctors - gifts, meals, dinners and trips - unduly influence the physican mindset. But why do some docs believe accepting such goodies is okay? A new study offers a clue - some docs believe these treats are a reward for the sacrifices made to study medicine. Two Carnegie Mellon University researchers asked 301 pediatric and family medicine residents about the appropriateness of accepting freebies. But they were divided into three groups. Before completing the survey, one group was asked about sacrifices made in getting their education. Another group was asked the same questions but also whether the sacrifices - poor working conditions and school debt - justified ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3973112 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:01:59 +0100 3973112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3827345&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTP0trINh5Nk%2F Joining a small, but growing list of academic institutions, the University of Minnesota has adopted new rules governing conflicts of interest for its med school employees, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes. The ethics policy overhaul is part of a university-wide effort, but the new rules are tougher for faculty and staff at the Academic Health Center, which includes the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and colleges of Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine. “The feeling was that the bar needed to be higher for people who come in clinical contact with patients and others,” Frank Cerra, the U’s senior vp for health sciences, tells the paper. “I think it’s a good policy. The move comes a year after the med school was the target of a congressional inquiry into ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3827345 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:11:20 +0100 3827345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776612&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FaBixXSE3HwE%2F Two more colleges are in the process of restricting funding from industry. Harvard Medical School will prohibit its 11,000 faculty from giving promotional talks for drug and device makers and accepting personal gifts, travel, or meals, The Boston Globe writes. And Central Michigan University may not accept money upcoming continuing medical education programs, according to Central Michigan Life. The Harvard will also place strict limits on income faculty can earn from companies for consulting, joining boards, and other work; require public reporting of payments of at least $5,000 on a med school website; and promise more robust internal reporting and monitoring of these relationships. Harvard will also create a firewall between health care companies during these courses. One target is Pri-M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776612 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:36:16 +0100 3776612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740826&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FgGRcWHGyFM0%2F The healthcare giant joins a growing list of drugmakers that are disclosing info about their financial ties to physicians. The move comes after passage of the health care reform bill, which includes a provision known as Physician Payments Sunshine that requires drugmakers each year to record - starting 2012 - all gifts and payments to docs and teaching hospitals. Posting begins in 2013. The J&J list, however, offers both good news and bad news. The good news? J&J is disclosing payments. The bad news? Since J&J runs what are effectively different operating units, there are separate lists for separate units - which makes it difficult to get the bigger picture. The J&J units that have posted their first quarterly reports are Ortho-McNeil-Janssen, Centocor Ortho Biotech and... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740826 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:24:48 +0100 3740826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695809&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fe96ZMcjYRWs%2F Forget all those policies about limiting marketing activities aimed at doctors. A new survey in the Archives of Surgery finds that 72 percent continue to have positive attitudes toward various marketing overtures, including small gifts and lunches, although the docs who were familiar with institutional rules on industry interactions reported having fewer positive feelings (here is the abstract). The upshot: surgeons, trainees, and those unfamiliar with institutional policies interactions held more positive attitudes than others and were more likely to deem some gifts appropriate, including industry funding of residency programs and, among surgeons, receiving meals, travel expenses and payment for attending lectures. Nonattending physicians held more positive attitudes toward receiving meal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695809 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:03:07 +0100 3695809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665944&cid=t_140158_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F183245%2F Want to take a summer trip? Check out Ontario – you could even win a free trip there for you and your family. Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665944 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:46:28 +0100 3665944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648455&cid=t_140158_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fsponsored-post-escape-to-ontario-%25e2%2580%2593-the-museums-and-mazes-contest%2F WIN the Museums and Mazes Contest! Only in Ottawa can you come face-to-face with a prehistoric creature one day, then name a newborn calf in an urban farm the next. You’ll also try to find your way through a theme park’s collection of outdoor mazes, and then explore a world-class museum’s collection of never-before-seen artifacts. Enter now and yours could be the lucky family to do all this and more on a summer adventure in Canada’s capital. Enter today and your family of four could be the one to enjoy: A three-night stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Downtown Ottawa A $2,000 Family Travel Allowance Admission to the Canadian Museum of Nature and a gift shop welcome basket A guided tour through the Canada Science and Technology Museum, including a be... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648455 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:37:26 +0100 3648455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3570063&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fafo4MF0EpGg%2F File this one under sad irony. The Medical Council of India, which recently proposed penal punishment for doctors accepting cash and any other gifts from drugmakers (see here), is being dissolved after its president, Ketan Desai, was arrested on charges of corruption, The Hindu reports. Over the weekend, India’s President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, signed an ordinance empowering the government to dissolve the Medical Council of India, the regulatory body that is responsible for maintaining standards of medical education. A seven-member Board of Governors was created to assume the functioning of the 30-member executive council, the MCI’s highest decision-making body. Just two months ago, the MCI generated considerable attention by proposing to penalize docs for accepting cash a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3570063 Mon, 17 May 2010 12:10:58 +0100 3570063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302635&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fn0MwcyLBOzY%2F More than half of program directors at internal medicine residency programs accepted various forms of pharma support - food for conferences, educational materials, office supplies, drug samples, and unrestricted educational funds, as well as direct contact with residents (off-site and on-site) - according to a survey in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Of 236 program directors, 56 percent reported accepting support from drugmakers, yet 72 percent said the support is undesirable. Food, in particular, is popular, because it can spur attendance at meetings. Overall, acceptance of industry support was less prevalent among residency programs with a program director who considered support unacceptable and those with higher American Board of Internal Medicine pass rates, although support was mo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302635 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:44:37 +0100 3302635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139248&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8JEBL5TrIFw%2F The Medical Council of India has issued new guidelines for medical practitioners by amending its “Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics” rules and, as a result, docs will not be allowed to accept any gifts or attend seminars or events financed by drugmakers (look here and scroll down). Under the new rules, a doctor can conduct or participate in research funded by drug and other health care companies, but must obtain permission from authorities to carry out particular projects. And docs must also ensure research projects get clearance from an institutional ethics body. Public endorsements of specific drugs are also a no-no. “Some pharmaceutical companies have been promoting corruption for undue benefits, bringing in bad reputation for other pharmaceutical companies as wel... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139248 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:49:36 +0100 3139248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056878&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FH3-o6wZoH3o%2F In a long-promised move, New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram released a report from the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs recommending new regs to curtail the potential for conflicts of interest between docs, and drug and device makers. The move comes two years after Milgram formed a task force (see here and interview with Milgram here). “It is critical to minimize the potential for conflicts and it is critical that patients are made aware of any financial relationship between a physician and a pharmaceutical company or medical device manufacturer. Such relationships could bias medical decision-making,” she says in a statement. The report addresses a host of familiar issues - data mining, CME, payments to docs, food and other freebies. On gifts, the AG wants the state&#82... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056878 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:07:49 +0100 3056878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048072&cid=t_140158_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8096 Guess the drug Photo taken with a Palm Pre from the Malaysian Medical Resources Cupcakes (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048072 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916437&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FhqK-lsZLBPE%2F Earlier this week, we noted how Schering-Plough displayed this sign at the recent gathering of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, which is one of three states that have passed restrictive laws on what drug makers may give doctors in the way of gifts. To comply, Schering-Plough turned away docs from Massachusetts, Vermont and Minnesota. But a source points out that the limit in Minnesota, for instance, is $50. According to state law, doctors can receive gifts from “wholesalers and manufacturers up to a combined annual limit of $50 in retail value. That is, the total retail value of gifts given to a practitioner must not exceed $50 per year (look here). And so we wonder - how much might an ice cream cone cost? Unless Schering-Plough&#8... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916437 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:06:20 +0100 2916437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912530&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FWYhmHifgtzw%2F You remember those laws that make it harder for drugmakers to wine and dine doctors? Well, as you can see, the issue extends to conferences where drugmakers have exhibit booths. At the recent gathering of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Boston, Schering-Plough felt compelled to tells docs from Minnesota, Vermont and Massachusetts that they would have to get their free ice cream cones and shakes elsewhere. Why? Those states now restrict the sort of freebies drugmakers can give docs. So where can docs go to satisfy their appetites? If not another booth then, perhaps, a restaurant? Hat tip to Whitecoat and Pharmamarketing (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912530 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:49:37 +0100 2912530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512049&cid=t_140158_125_f&fid=38161&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalheroes.com%2Fhow-to-find-free-or-low-cost-dental-care%2F Let’s face it, the economy stinks right now. Unemployment levels are the highest we’ve seen in years, people are losing their homes, and many people are forced to forgo important medical or dental procedures. In fact, nearly 100 million Americans are living without some form of dental insurance. For those 100 million Americans these tough times are especially painful. The staggering number of uninsured is particularly troubling in light of the news in recent years highlighting the probably connection between dental health and overall health. However, a lack of dental insurance doesn’t mean you have to go without much needed dental care. In fact, dentists across the country have recognized this need and have organized free clinics to help the uninsured cope with high denta... Dental Heroes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512049 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:16:07 +0100 2512049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376560&cid=t_140158_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fplaying-catch-up.html Hosted by "Tracy" at "Mother May I," but the photo-picture below will whizz you right there with one click.Just call me snap happy.I like to think that this tribute to Garfield is directly related to my son's increased diet. Well......Garfield does have very winning ways.If you're looking for something different for Mother's Day, then how about a "goat?" I just love "Oxfam."My daughter is safely back from Science Camp together with the "cartoons."If you're in need of other freebies and giveaways then you could do a lot worse than to nip along to a new site that I recently discovered called "We are THAT family" where you can find a pleasant introduction to the "clan here."Please add your name to my two giveaways if you haven't already as the end of April approaches:-"here" or "here."Meanwhi... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376560 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2376560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349342&cid=t_140158_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fsomething-sweet-for-weekend.html My pal at "Life with Joey" drew my attention to an interesting "video." If you have a mo, nip over to "Joey's Mum" and read "her" words before you watch it. Do not be alarmed that your computer has broken, the sound track has been disabled which I might just have noticed if I'd cleaned my bifocals first.Don't forget to add your name to the "list" and help spread the word. I have a terrible feeling that I'll miss the opportunity to test USPS by sending it abroad. I need more foreigners. Know any foreigners? I wonder if it's because I'm using the wrong word? Do foreigners know what a giveaway is? Foreigners! Foreigners! Calling all foreigners! It's a freebie!Cheers dearsIf you like what you read, send it to someone in 'need.' (Source: Whitterer on Autism) Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349342 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2349342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033598&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F481649102%2F Health care activists complain that the state needs to plug a big loophole that allows doctors to receive pay for research and work on clinical trials without disclosing it. “They need to go further,” Lisa Kaplan Howe, policy manager at Health Care for All, tells The Boston Herald. The state legislature passed the gift ban last summer as part of a health care cost-containment bill. If the new rules are approved, Massachusetts docs will be prohibited from accepting pens, tchotchkes, vacations and most free meals from drug and device makers (back story), they will also be required to report any money they receive to promote products. But if doc are paid to provide research or test drugs, they don’t have to disclose those payments, although all other payments of $50 or more would ne... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033598 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:17:53 +0100 2033598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2028840&cid=t_140158_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2F479638162%2Fopen-access-to-the-psychologist-january-issue-719.html In a ‘hot off the press‘ news story the Januray Issue of The Psychologist has published a trial open access issue for all to view. I’ve spent a few minutes playing with this ‘new way of publishing’ and I’m quite impressed. A nice way to read The Psychologist. A few words of encouragement and guidance from the Managing Editor of The Psychologist: This electronic magazine is best viewed with Firefox or Safari, with the latest version of Flash installed – it doesn’t seem to display so well in Internet Explorer, although hopefully we’ll have that ironed out shortly. What you should see is the cover of the magazine, and then you can click in the bottom corner to take you to the next page. You can also zoom in, download the whole issue, email to share, ... PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2028840 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:03:19 +0100 2028840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2018095&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F475853910%2F In the spring, the school and its health system, known collectively as Penn Medicine, plan to launch a web site that will contain searchable info on all outside activities of its doctors and scientists, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. In doing so, Penn Medicine becomes the latest institution to disclose ties to drugmakers. Earlier this week, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation took a similar step and others around the country have begun doing the same in recent months, although many lack such policies. “When all of us are up there transparently, it may make us a little more responsible,” Arthur Rubenstein, dean of the medical school and head of Penn Medicine, tells the paper. “It is just human nature: If you know someone else is going to know what you are doing, you may be... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2018095 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:45:03 +0100 2018095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1974988&cid=t_140158_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fcoeliac-scam.html JuvelaI have from time to time written about the coeliac disease outrage. Anyone diagnosed as having gluten sensitivity is entitled to free prescriptions for the rest of their life for gluten free food. Courtesy of the taxpayer. Most (not all) gluten free food is more expensive than “ordinary” food. Big Pharma and their clients dine out on this big time. One of the leading suppliers is Juvela. They have a website devoted to flogging their goods.OK, I am not suggesting that patients with coeliac disease should not have some support from the NHS in case of genuine financial need - though frankly I can think of more deserving cases. But like all family doctors in the country I am both cynical and angry about repeat prescription demands like this:Juvela Gluten-Free Lasagne 250 grams x 2 £... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1974988 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:10:00 +0100 1974988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2019580&cid=t_140158_82_f&fid=38206&url=http%3A%2F%2Falowe.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F11%2F16%2Fmedical-freebies%2F I have pens, piles and piles of pens. My operating room locker is crammed with them, flashing logos of anesthetics, muscle relaxants, narcotics, β-blockers, painkillers and antacids in bright primary colors. I also have scrub caps, sticky pads, calculators, clips for my hospital ID tags and some odd gizmos that I can’t even figure out, all proclaiming my presumed loyalty to a brand of something or other that anesthesiologists use or may peripherally encounter. “Big Pharma” pays for it all. No one forces me to take these goodies. I scoop them up by the handful when we are visited by the “Bagel Bearers,” those pretty women and handsome men whose job it is to “detail” us on how and why to use their products on fat people, old people, skinny people, young people—any people. Th... Anthony Lowe : Anesthesiologist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2019580 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:10:40 +0100 2019580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1924711&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F437134300%2F All the doctors had to do was show up, enjoy a free dinner at an elegant Rochester, New York, restaurant specializing in steaks and expensive wines, and pocket $100 on the way out the door. No, this wasn’t a big drugmaker showing largesse. Health insurers invited the docs to hear a pitch about the benefits of prescribing generics instead of pricier brand-name meds, the Associated Press writes. Meet the flip side of a concern about corporate influence in the doctor’s office that’s been criticized - often stridently - when big pharma entices doc to prescribe brand-name drugs. Under pressure, that industry has since reined in its promotional efforts. But insurers are allowed to push docs toward cheaper drugs, frequently by offering a cut from the savings insurers get when do... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1924711 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:56:10 +0100 1924711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1809936&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F396271679%2F Two mental health advocacy groups plan to lobby lawmakers for more transparency in the relationship between Vermont’s medical field and the pharmaceutical industry, The Rutland Herald reports. Two months ago, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office issued its annual report on gifts and donations from drugmakers to Vermont docs and medical professionals, but critics say the report is incomplete and hard to access. Ken Libertoff, who heads the Vermont Association for Mental Health, argues a trade secret clause in state law allows some docs to mask the amount of money they receive. The report showed that Vermont doctors received $3.1 million in gifts and donations from the pharmaceutical and medical industry - an increase of 33 percent over the previous year. But some info is not in... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1809936 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:49:42 +0100 1809936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1730771&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F374190070%2F Drugmakers are spending millions every year on all-expenses-paid trips to conferences around the world for doctors and other hospital staff, in what critics say is a massive marketing exercise dressed up as medical education, according to The Guardian. The paper examined the registers of gifts and donations to doctors that all hospitals are required to keep. And they show what the paper calls ‘considerable largesse’ - from drugmakers regularly picking up hefty bills for travel to international conferences in Europe, Asia and America, to specialist nurses’ salaries, and weekly sandwich lunches for hospital staff training sessions, according to the paper. All-expenses-paid trips to conferences in the US, Vietnam or Hungary are a regular feature of the registers, costing the... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1730771 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:26:53 +0100 1730771 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1733983&cid=t_140158_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D4184 It’s not the first time I’ve spoken to an audience of dermatologists. I’ll never turn down a chance to do so. The freebies. Ah, the freebies So did you manage to spot the odd man out? a These dermatology conferences! (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1733983 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1733983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1711849&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F368035997%2F And so, as promised, we have returned. We trust you had a pleasant and productive week while we were away. And we want to say thanks for the nice send-off notes so many of you posted. Much appreciated. As always, though, the time has now come to reach for that favored cup of stimulation as we recap a few of the more interesting events of the past several days… Despite last-minute huffing and puffing from drugmakers and biotechs, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law one of the nation’s strictest limits on gifts given to doctors and other medical professionals by sales reps, the most contentious measure contained in a broad package intended to improve healthcare safety and curb skyrocketing costs. Read more here and here. Which course should Bristol-Myers Squibb p... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1711849 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:55:17 +0100 1711849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1714729&cid=t_140158_109_f&fid=37784&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fpsychblog%2F%7E3%2F367978034%2Ffee-journal-access-only-until-30th-sept-516.html This is a quick ‘heads-up’ to all.  Sage Journals are offering free access to a massive number of Psychology, Counselling and Psycharity journals until the 30th September.   Might come in useful to students writing assignments or coursework; or just for those who’d like to do a little extra reading.  Well worth a look. Get over to Sage Journals registration page to take advantage of this offer. Tags: 4Teachers, freebies, journals, websites (Source: PsychBLOG.co.uk) PsychBLOG.co.uk blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1714729 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:00:14 +0100 1714729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1689196&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F358486494%2F Last week, the Massachusetts state legislature passed a compromise version of the Health Care Cost and Quality act, a controversial bill that angered drugmakers and biotechs with an initial effort to greatly restrict interaction between industry and doctors, such as an outright ban on gifts. (Here it is). The gift ban didn’t survive the compromise, but the bill would create an academic detailing program to provide unbiased information to prescribers; requires drugmakers to disclose payments to health care providers valued at $50 or more; directs the state’s Department of Public Health to establish regulations on marketing, using the industry’s own code as a minimum standard (so, this means no branded items, such as mugs and pens; limits on meals, gifts and travel support). The gi... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1689196 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:11:34 +0100 1689196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1675138&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F352735876%2F The state’s House and Senate worked out compromise legislation last night and while it does not contain a controversial ban on gifts to docs, the Health Care Cost and Quality bill does contain these provisions.. The bill creates an academic detailing program to provide unbiased information to prescribers; requires drugmakers to disclose payments to health care providers valued at $50 or more; directs the state’s Department of Public Health to establish regulations on marketing, using the industry’s own code as a minimum standard (so, this means no branded items, such as mugs and pens; limits on meals, gifts and travel support). And there will be a 5,000 penalty per violation, enforceable by the state Attorney General, although this would appear to be a pittance. The gift ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1675138 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:50:15 +0100 1675138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1660869&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fdownload-free-high-quality-sci-fi-e-books%2F If you are fond of reading sci-fi books, you might want to check outTor.com, a new site managed by Tor Books, part of the Macmillan publishing group, which offers free downloads of e-books for a limited time only. The offer only runs through Sunday so hurry now! Twenty-four (24 ) free e-books and a collection of high-resolution cover art suitable for use as a computer desktop background are available for download. The downloads are available in HTML, MOBI and PDF formats. Available titles are: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson Old Man’s War by John Scalzi Spin by Robert Charles Wilson Farthing by Jo Walton The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedies Lackey & James Mallory Crystal Rain by Tobias Buckell Lord of the Isles by David Drake Through Wolf’s Eyes by Jane Lindskold The Dis... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1660869 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:10:27 +0100 1660869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1635073&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fhow-to-win-an-ipod-nano-and-25000-massagechiropractic-gift-card%2F Win an iPod and a $250.00 massage/chiropractic gift card and a domain from an RSS competition between Crunchnow and BloggerNoob. Crunchnow will be giving away iPod Nano and a $250 chiropractic gift certificate while BloggerNoob will also be giving away iPod and domain. (Source: Jammed: Full into Capacity) Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1635073 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:01:13 +0100 1635073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631584&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F337020938%2F The hotly-debated ban on gifts and meals provided to doctors by drugmakers was stripped out of proposed legislation a House committee approved late yesterday, The Boston Globe reports. The panel also removed requirements that drug and device makers report payments they make to doctors for consulting and speaking to other physicians and that the Department of Public Health post that info on its website, the paper writes. A proposed $5,000 fine per violation was also dropped from the bill, which is expected to be voted on by the full House today. The bill would ban drugmakers from buying prescribing data that identifies docs and patients. The move comes after drugmakers and biotechs threatened to reduce investment in the state and, interestingly, the BIO trade group last month named Deval Pa... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631584 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:59:46 +0100 1631584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522435&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F313289318%2F File this one under the carrot, not the stick. Drugmakers and biotechs are peeved that Massachusetts is considering a health care bill that would ban various goodies industry can give docs. In fact, the governor, Deval Patrick, was expected to be given a cool reception at the BIO convention being held in San Diego this week. Instead, in what may be an inspired move, the association will bestow its ‘Governor of the Year‘ award on Deval at a luncheon ceremony. Patrick, you may recall, hopes to use a $1 billion, 10-year life sciences initiative to lure biotechs to Massachusetts, a bill that was signed into law today. What could have prompted such warmth? And what might this mean for that annoying health care bill? When we hear from the governor’s office, we will let you know... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522435 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:56:19 +0100 1522435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1502742&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F307986757%2F As Massachusetts contemplates telling pharma that gifts to docs should be a no-no, a Boston TV station invites Danny Carlat, a psychiatrist and medical gadfly, and Tom Stossel, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to debate the ins and outs. Stossel, who wrote critcized the proposed legislation in a recent editorial in The Boston Herald, calls the idea ‘draconian,’ and says ‘if I never see another Pfizer mug, I’m not going to worry about it.’ Carlat, meanwhile, says that ‘gifts is another word for bribes.’ (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1502742 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:27:17 +0100 1502742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1494556&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F304759612%2F The state’s effort to ban gifts to docs is certainly a flashpoint - drugmakers have threatened to curtail investment in Massachusetts, biotechs are giving state politicians a cold shoulder, and some prominent - and conflicted - docs have written angry editorials. Now, restaurant owners are voicing their anger. Kevin Abt of RestaurantsToYou.com, a regional broker who matches corporate clients with restaurants and delis, wrote a letter to several state reps, a portion of which was posted on Blue Mass Group political blog, to say the bill will cost caterers $40 million: “These doctors are eating sandwiches in the kitchenettes of their office delivered from the corner restaurant, not surf and turf at Morton’s. Typical breakfasts and lunches cost $8 to $20 per person with tax... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1494556 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:45:28 +0100 1494556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1492330&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F303677306%2F Those crazy kids are at it again. Most US medical schools fail to police the money, gifts and free samples that drugmakers give doctors and trainees, according to a new ranking by the American Medical Student Association. Only 7 of 150 that were ranked received an A and 14 were graded B. But 60 received an F for failing to respond, providing incomplete surveys or for inadequate policies. Top grades were given to The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the University of California at Davis School of Medicine, the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Here is ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1492330 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:03:29 +0100 1492330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488707&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F302901981%2F At the Lilly booth, the docs were lining up 15 deep for a free taste of frozen yogurt, except docs from Minnesota. For the third year in a row, the drugmaker posted a sign saying there would be food or drink given to docs from the Land of 10,000 Lakes “in order to comply with Minnesota statutes,” Dow Jones writes. In fact, New York government employees were subject to the same treatment. Across the aisle, Novartis was giving away soapstone bowls carved in Kenya as part of its support of a non-profit group that promotes economic growth in developing regions. But again, there was a sign, saying Minnesota docs, members of a Medicaid committee and state and federal employees “may be subjected to restrictions on acceptance of food, beverages or items,” the wire reports. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488707 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:50:47 +0100 1488707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1437093&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F288692424%2F When three of the state’s politicians, led by Governor Deval Patrick, visit a major biotech conference in San Diego next month, they’re likely to receive a cool reception. They hope to use a $1 billion initiative to lure biotechs to Massachusetts, but biotechs are upset over a provision in bill aimed at controlling health care costs that also would ban industry from giving docs any kind of gift, the Associated Press writes. “Strictly interpreted, the `anything-of-value’ ban could bring clinical trials to a halt in Massachusetts, severely cut into necessary and mandated continuing educational studies undertaken by physicians and mean that fewer new medicines are readily available to patients in the state that is the global hub of medical innovation,” the Massac... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1437093 Mon, 12 May 2008 13:42:29 +0100 1437093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1426772&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F285319102%2F Glaxo is playing hardball with Massachusetts. Chris Viehbacher, who heads the drugmaker’s North American pharma biz, sent what The Boston Herald calls “harshly worded letters” to three state politicans to accuse the state of a “strong anti-biopharmaceutical streak” and complains of attempts to “attack and demonize the industry.” His ire was prompted by Senate President Therese Murray’s proposed ban on gifts to docs and, in his letters, Chris suggests Glaxo may not invest as much in the state if “political developments…devalue” assets there. His missives arrive just two weeks after Glaxo agreed to pay $720 million for Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which is based in Cambridge. The two firms employ about 115 workers in Massachusetts... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1426772 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:58:56 +0100 1426772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1392576&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F275686734%2F In formal testimony before the state’s Legislature yesterday, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal asked for help against influence wielded by drugmakers, Legal Newsline reports. Blumenthal wants to make it illegal for drugmakers to give gifts or other benefits to docs that may influence their health care decisions despite a code of ethics the industry has already adopted. In his view, the code is meaningless and unenforceable. “As multi-national, sophisticated, profit-driven companies, drug companies spend billions of dollars on relentless direct marketing to health care providers, seeking to increase sales and profits,” he said, according to the legal news site. Both PhRMA and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations passe... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1392576 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:10:59 +0100 1392576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1407125&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fhow-to-get-completely-free-traffic-with-blog-contests%2F Contests are nothing new in the online world. Many people have been using contests to get free web traffic for years. However, there is a slightly new twist since the blog revolution that has made running a contest much more effective and fun. The concept is the same. You come up with a prize (or many prizes) that would be appealing to your blog readers. Of course, offering your own product as the prize would be preferable since you can mention it on your blog (so everyone who sees your contest will also see your product link). But, if you don’t have your own product, you can easily ask around and find people who will donate. Once you have your prizes, the fun starts. You have several options for your contest: If your goal is to get people to interact, ask your readers to post a comment... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1407125 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:15:05 +0100 1407125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1380612&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F272526739%2F Last month, a bill was introduced in the legislature that would make the state the first to ban gifts to docs, which was described as a way to lower prescription drug costs. The bill would prevent reps from offering gifts and ban docs from accepting gifts of any kind. And the ban would extend to a doc’s staff and family members, although samples could be distributed, as long as the samples are for the exclusive use of patients. Now, a couple of prominent docs are firing back. In an editorial in The Boston Herald, they write “For the Legislature even to deliberate passing a law imposing fines up to $5,000 and jail sentences up to two years on practicing physicians if they accept a pen, pad of paper or slice of pizza from a company representative reflects the success that critics hos... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1380612 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:32:56 +0100 1380612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373837&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F270681667%2F With little fanfare, a small number of prominent academic scientists have decided to stop accepting payments from drug and device makers for speaking at meetings or for sitting on advisory boards. And while they maintain that it’s important for for knowledgeable scientists to help companies draw up and interpret studies, any work they do will be pro bono, The New York Times writes. As an example, the paper cites Peter Libby, chief of cardiovascular medicine at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who began receiving offers from drugmakers 25 years ago. And it seemed like a natural reflection of his growing reputation. He never owned stock in companies that he consulted for and always disclosed his consulting and speaking. So he thought he was protected from accusations of favo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373837 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:35:22 +0100 1373837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1366897&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F268344544%2F The Golden State passed a bill four years ago that made binding PhRMA’s marketing guidelines and requires drugmakers to set an upper limit on the dollar value of gifts they could give to a doc in a given year. To prove compliance, drugmakers must provide a plan, choose and abide by annual per-doctor gift limits, and post the info on their web sites declaring they’re in compliance. But in a new report, Calpirg, a consumer advocacy group, claims that the limits are riddled with exceptions, and that some drugmakers have evaded even the least restrictive limits on their marketing. “These requirements took effect on July 1, 2005,” writes CalPirg. “Nearly three years later, because of SB 1765, we now have a better sense of the scope of the problem of drug company m... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1366897 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:37:16 +0100 1366897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1332724&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F259603757%2F Australian drug companies forked out more than $30 million in six months hosting doctors at controversial “educational” events, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Medicines Australia, the industry trade group, has been forced to detail spending on doctor seminars of up to $2,500 a head, often hosted at expensive hotels and in exotic locations. A report prepared for Medicines Australia by international consulting firm Deloitte shows that 42 companies spent $31 million, including $16.4 million on direct hospitality costs like meals, flights and hotels, in the second half of last year. In one case, AstraZeneca paid $514,000 to host a national symposium for 226 gastroenterologists in Melbourne - a cost of $2,275 a head. There were 385,221 attendances by doctors at 14,643 functions ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1332724 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:15:18 +0100 1332724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1330035&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F258921895%2F Best known for producing generics, the country’s drugmakers actually operate in a murky regulatory environment where there’s no single government agency charged with looking after patients’ well-being, BusinessWeek reports. Free from the scrutiny of regulators, drugmakers sometimes engage in aggressive marketing tactics, including showering physicians, pharmacists, and wholesale distributors with expensive gifts, the mag writes. In return doctors may prescribe drugs based on incentives rather than patient needs. “The drug regulator, producer, and prescriber are on one side, and the illiterate, poor patient is on the other,” Chandra Gulati, a health-care activist in New Delhi and publisher of the medical journal Monthly Index of Medical Specialties India, tell... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1330035 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:36:51 +0100 1330035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1330036&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F258904620%2F Those crazy kids are at it again. Last year, they started ranking med schools on their policies - or lack thereof - for keeping sales reps and freebies at bay. Now, they are happily circulating a handy-dandy tip sheet for holding meetings, grand rounds and conferences without succumbing to undue industry influence. The reason? The Americal Medical Student Association says that none of the academic medical centers have banned industry-funded educational events. And the kids believe that “the practical motivation of satisfying industry sponsors prevents the independent discussion of medical therapies.” With the help of PharmedOut, the educational non-profit, they came up with these suggestions, among others… - Use local talent. Identify respected researchers and clinicians ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1330036 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:06:57 +0100 1330036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1278318&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F245453392%2F The senate president has introduced a bill that would make the state the first to undertake such a move, which is being described as one way to keep a lid on prescription drug costs. The bill would prevent reps from offering gifts and ban docs from accepting gifts of any kind, The Boston Globe reports. Not only that, the ban would extend to a doc’s staff and family members, although samples could be distributed, as long as the samples are for the exclusive use of patients. The bill would also address several other health issues - provide loan forgiveness programs for students wanting to become nurses or primary care physicians; authorize the UMass Medical School to increase the class size of medical students and expand primary care programs and primary care residency training; establ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1278318 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:15:30 +0100 1278318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1271493&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Ffree-banner-creators-for-your-advertising-campaigns%2F Banner advertising is considered as one of the most effective ways of promoting your website or products online. One of the most important steps in banner advertising is creating an attractive banner. However, most of the time you need a costly software or pay for someone to create one. Not everybody can afford to purchase these softwares or know how to use them. Good thing there are free banner generators that can help you in creating banners and launching your ad campaigns. Create graphical banners (this can also be used for your website headers and banners). Banner Sketch offers a high-quality professional online banner creator. They have pre-build templates you can use. However, they only offer banner (468×60) and half banner (234×60) sizes. Banner Break lets you create a pro... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1271493 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:01:40 +0100 1271493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1269657&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fand-the-winner-is%2F L.A. of Lord at Works! One month ago, I started a blog contest which gives the participants a chance to win 1 year domain name and 1 GB hosting (sponsored by Jhay). Prizes were: 1 domain name (.com and .net) plus 1 GB hosting for 1 year. Consolation prizes: 5 winners of the 1 month link from this blog and 2 winners of 100 Entrecard credits. I will contact the consolation prize winners later on how to get their prizes. I want to thank all of the participants. Until the next blog contest! I apologize for this delayed posting. (Source: Jammed: Full into Capacity) Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1269657 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 23:24:32 +0100 1269657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1233304&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Futilize-coupon-codes-to-avail-discount-on-domain-names-and-hosting%2F Domain name registration these days costs an average of $9.00/year. It already sounds much for me. So I looked for ways that will give me cheaper domain registration. My first option was to search the web for cheap domain names. My second option is to use a coupon code to avail discount. But where do I get one? Luckily, I found a great site which provides coupon promotional codes including those for domain names and hosting. Retail Me Not is an easy way to find online coupon codes. Using the FEBLUV code (NameCheap’s coupon code for February) I got the domain name for only $8.41 from its original price of $9.96! Promotional coupon codes for domain registration and hosting. Tags:Blogging, Contests and Freebies, Coupon Promotional Codes, Domain Registration, Free Domains, Free Hostin... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1233304 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:22:24 +0100 1233304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1208098&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F229669246%2F Lacking motivation? Having trouble achieving your goals? One in five people do. But no worries. Consumer International has the answer for those of you who suffer this serious affliction - mild, moderate or severe. It’s called Strivor (you know, as in striving), which can push you to do your shopping or clean the oven. The little blue pill is the group’s answer to what it calls ‘unethical and irresponsible’ pharma marketing. So it’s created a campaign called Marketing Overdose that includes a series of five tongue-in-cheek videos to peel the curtain back on patient groups that partner with pharma (raise your hand if you belong to Unmotivated Anonymous), DTC advertising and gifts to docs. There’s also a fictitious ’secret training video’ for ma... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1208098 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:53:46 +0100 1208098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1181843&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fwin-1-domain-name-1gb-cpanel-hosting-for-1-year%2F Last Friday, I posted about my new contest, a .com domain giveaway for 1 year. Jhay contacted me if he could sponsor the hosting. He was generous enough to offer 1 GB of storage space from his reseller account for 1 year! The lucky winner will receive a free .com available domain plus a hosting which the following features: 1GB of webspace 10GB of bandwidth Unlimited SQL databases Unlimited E-mail accounts Unlimited FTP accounts 100 Addon domains 100 subdomains cPanel PHP4 & 5 Ruby On Rails Streaming Audio/Video MySQL, SSH, SSL, IMAP, POP About this Contest and Prizes (Updated): 1. This contest is open to all. 2. The lucky winner will get a 1 year .com domain and 1 year cPanel hosting (see the specs above) for FREE! 3. This is exclusive for new domain name registrations and does no... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181843 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:03:24 +0100 1181843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1177767&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fwin-a-1-year-free-com-domain-registration%2F I’ve been blogging for over a year now and I think it’s about time to compensate my readers. I’ve been thinking which would be the best prize. The Entrecard credits contests are rampant nowadays so I want a prize which can be more useful to bloggers. I am giving away 1 FREE 1 year .com domain registration (of USD 9.99/year value!). You will be in full control of your domain name. About this Contest: 1. This contest is open to all with existing active blogs who want a distinct domain name for their website. 2.Only the domain name will be free, and the web hosting is exclusive from this giveaway. 3. This is exclusive for new domain name registrations and does not include domain transfer or renewal. 4. Only .com domains will be registered. 5. Domain registration will onl... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1177767 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:48:22 +0100 1177767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1169914&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fpinoy-united-a-social-networking-exclusive-for-filipinos%2F Filipinos never get tired of social networks. In fact, the largest portion of the Friendster users are Filipinos. As of 2006, 5 million Filipinos have a Friendster account. But this may also include duplicate and spam accounts. My brother, who is a Friendster-junkie (and we are always argue because of it) has 3 accounts! And he spends more than 2 hours browsing photos, adding more “friends”, commenting, etc. Recently, I stumbled upon and joined Pinoy United, a social network exclusive for Filipinos around the globe. What is Pinoy United? It is the latest social networking site with Filipinos in mind. The site is based in the United Kingdom and aims to cater for Filipinos across the globe. Similar with other networking sites, members can stay in touch with their friends, connec... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1169914 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:45:50 +0100 1169914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1162056&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fhow-to-easily-win-100%2F Yes, you can easily win $100 sponsored by Colin King. To gain entries into the contest, just do any of the following: - Subscribe to RSS via email = 2 entries (per blog you subscribe to!) - Make a comment of value (not just “i agree”, etc.) on a post = 1 entry (remember to comment on all blogs) - Write a post about the contest on your blog (must include a link to this page and the links below to participating blogs) = 25 entries How much easier can we make it? So you can sneak in with just one entry by simply posting a comment here, you can increase your odds by reading and commenting on a few more posts here and at one of the blogs below and maybe subscribe to a couple, or you can really up the odds and subscribe to all all of our blogs (which you’ll enjoy reading a... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1162056 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 06:09:24 +0100 1162056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146554&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fjoin-these-contests-and-win-entrecard-credits%2F I am getting addicted to Entrecard, the first and only free exchange network that really promises traffic to your websites. You can advertise your Entrecard on any blog in the network, for free, for a number of days using your Entrecard credits or ECs. Getting ECs isn’t hard. You earn them for free by networking (dropping your card for other bloggers) and displaying other Entrecards on your widget. Holding Entrecard Credit contests is becoming a trend among Entrecard users these days. It is another way of getting ECs and driving blog traffic for contest holders. Here is a list of sites with active contests as of January 13, 2008: 1. Win $20 and 300 Entrecard Credits at PinoyAmbisyoso.com. International Entrecard users with Paypal account are qualified to join. Paypal will be used t... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146554 Sat, 12 Jan 2008 16:34:35 +0100 1146554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1132199&cid=t_140158_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fhow-to-win-a-brand-new-iphone%2F Everybody wants an iPhone, but not everybody can have it due to its cost. In the Philippines, it can cost you Php 20,000 plus. So here is your chance to win an iPhone for FREE. The I Make Money on Facebook blog is holding a contest for all her readers as a means of sharing her earnings. 1. Visit the I Make Money on Facebook blog and follow the steps on how to win your own brand new iPhone. 2. Get entry tickets by commenting on her post: “25 Steps to Make Money on Facebook”, subscribing to her RSS feeds and writing a post about this contest just like what I did. Do these three ways to get 5 entry tickets. Deadline is extended to January 10, 2008 instead of January 1st, 2008 (the winner will be drawn at 11:59 AM CST on January 10, 2008 and the prize will be sent out on January 1... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1132199 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:41:23 +0100 1132199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=993380&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F177517988%2F Depending upon the country in which you work, you may instead receive an air conditioner, a washing machine, a camera or a cow. Whatever one’s pleasure, drugmakers are targeting docs in developing countries with dinners and gifts as incentives to prescribe their meds, according to a new report from Consumers International, an umbrella organization of consumer groups. The developing world, in other words, has become an easy target, and the CI report says self-regulation by drugmakers isn’t working, citing ads that would be considered misleading in Europe, as well as heavy promotion to docs, The Guardian reports. “Up to 50 percent of medicines in developing countries are inappropriately prescribed, dispensed or sold,” the report says. Gifts include air conditioners, l... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=993380 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:34:33 +0100 993380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=972850&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F173968596%2F Those crazy kids are at it again. The American Medical Student Association is kicking up more dust with its annual campaign to scrub their environment free of pharma reps, free lunches and undue prescribing influence. There are events at schools around the country to enlighten administrators and students. For those curious to know what the AMSA is telling these people, take a peek. The ‘Pharm Free Policy Toolbox’ offers med students ways to engage administrators and program directors. Among the suggestions - discuss policies about industry-sponsored lunches and ask for alternative lunches to be made available. Make certain that sales reps aren’t allowed in wards and clinics, and that company social events aren’t publicized within the hospital. Urge the hospital and ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=972850 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:56:25 +0100 972850 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=947465&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F169024775%2F That’s because a two-year-old state, which forbids sales reps from giving docs more than $50 worth of food or gifts each year, is apparently greatly reducing free lunches. One year after the change, the number of visits that Minnesota primary care doctors accepted from sales reps fell at about twice the rate of the decline reported by primary care doctors nationwide, according to a survey by ImpactRx, a market research firm. And a growing number of Minnesota hospitals and clinics have banned routine visits from them, The New York Times reports. “We have an extended hallway, and the sales reps sit there now without anything except maybe Styrofoam cups filled with M&Ms. The 30 pizzas are gone,” Michael Severson, a pediatrician in Brainerd, Minn., tells the paper. “It’s ma... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=947465 Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:15:29 +0100 947465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=926351&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F165173043%2F Indeed, the Levaquin calculator is good for adding or subtracting just about anything, not just the value of those lunches. Docs can tally the number of invitations to attend a CME dinner or a swanky conference. A key opinion leader can display the amount of speaking fees he or she would like to receive. This hand-held device would also make it easier to keep track of side effects that go unreported to MedWatch. Or docs can punch in the number of reps who come knocking each month - and how many times they showed them the door. Oncologists, meanwhile, can use this to calculate reduced Medicare reimbursement for those EPO drugs. Hat tip to Drug Rep Toys Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=926351 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:38:16 +0100 926351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=897084&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F160710611%2F For as long as many can remember, New Jersey has been home to much of the world’s pharmaceutical industry. And for that reason, drugmakers have often been handled with kid gloves - when other states launched investigations into questionable marketing, for example, the Garden State usually wasn’t on the list of participants. So it came as a surprise last week when the state’s new Attorney General, Anne Milgram, announced a new task force to study recommendations for handling conflicts of interest between docs and drug and device makers. The target: The ubiquitous practice of giving gifts and fees for research, consulting and speaking. This is a national issue, but so far, only four states - Vermont, Maine, Minnesota and West Virginia - have passed laws requiring docs to re... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=897084 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:18:11 +0100 897084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=882991&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F158273916%2F This is a bit suprising, if only because New Jersey is home to so many drugmakers and has a reputation for not wanting to offend the industry. In fact, the Garden State regularly brags about being ‘the nation’s medicine chest.’ Nonetheless, the state attorney general, Anne Millgram, has formed a task force to investigate how docs and patients are affected by the ubiquitous practice of giving gifts and fees for research, consulting and speaking. The force will also look at how gifts contribute to a doc’s knowledge about meds, although there is no enforcement power yet attached to the effort. The new Advisory Task Force on Physician Compensation will study ways to prevent and identify abuses, which may include publicly disclosing data, putting limits on payments that ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=882991 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:24:45 +0100 882991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=848531&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F153403688%2F The legislation is being called the Physicians Payments Sunshine Act and would require drug and device makers to disclose the amount of money they give docs through payments, gifts, honoraria, travel and other means. Penalties would range from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation. “Right now the public has no way to know whether a doctor’s been given money that might affect prescribing habits,” says Chuck Grassley, the Republican Senator from Iowa, who is leading the effort. “This bill is about letting the sun shine in so that the public can know. Whether it’s dinner at a restaurant or tens of thousands of dollars or more in fees and travel, patients shouldn’t be in the dark about whether their doctors are getting money from drug and device makers.” The newly pr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=848531 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:28:13 +0100 848531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=801645&cid=t_140158_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F144419928%2F Since attendance is down at medical grand rounds - those formal hospital meetings at which docs discuss patient cases - a study was conducted in which free food was provided by drugmakers. And guess what? Free food boosted attendance - by 38.4 percent. The study appears in BMC Medical Education and reviewed meetings between September 2002 and June 2004. There was no word about what was on the menu, but 70.1 percent of the docs indicated they were more likely to attend grand rounds because of complimentary food, 53.6 percent indicated their attendance increased as a result of complimentary food, and 53.1 percent indicated their attendance would decrease if complimentary food was no longer provided, the study found. Notably, the authors write, 80.3 percent indicated that food was not a dist... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=801645 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 14:46:00 +0100 801645