Aa
Payola in the MS drug industry
A depressing post from Wheelchair Kamikaze...
http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2011/05/big-pharma-behaving-badly-and-making-me.html
"Pharmaceutical industry giant Merck Serano this week paid $44.3 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that the company paid kickbacks to MS neurologists for prescribing its blockbuster MS drug, Rebif. The scam allegedly included hundreds of doctors, and seems to have been centered on the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Clinics (CMSC), a nonprofit corporation that is supposed to help educate patients...
"The lawsuit was brought by a former Merck Serano employee turned whistleblower, who was fired by the company after expressing disbelief that such underhanded and blatant misdeeds were going on with the company’s full knowledge and participation. The entire lawsuit document is available online (http://freepdfhosting.com/543bcc781b.pdf), and to save you the trouble, the good stuff starts on page 6."
sho
http://www.wheelchairkamikaze.com/2011/05/big-pharma-behaving-badly-and-making-me.html
"Pharmaceutical industry giant Merck Serano this week paid $44.3 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that the company paid kickbacks to MS neurologists for prescribing its blockbuster MS drug, Rebif. The scam allegedly included hundreds of doctors, and seems to have been centered on the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Clinics (CMSC), a nonprofit corporation that is supposed to help educate patients...
"The lawsuit was brought by a former Merck Serano employee turned whistleblower, who was fired by the company after expressing disbelief that such underhanded and blatant misdeeds were going on with the company’s full knowledge and participation. The entire lawsuit document is available online (http://freepdfhosting.com/543bcc781b.pdf), and to save you the trouble, the good stuff starts on page 6."
sho
We can always count on Wheelchair Kamakazi to find this kind of stuff out and share it with the MS community. Thanks to him we see how disgusting and hideous behavior from both pharma and the doctors that let themselves get drawn in by this behavior.
In another group I belong to, the makers of the new oral drug have offered free trips to the top bloggers on the site. That trip is to Switzerland for the 4 lucky winners. Are they bringing them there to become a marketing tool for the drug and by that mean to influence those who follow the stie, or is it to learn from real people with MS on what their needs are? Who knows, but I for one would not accept a free trip, money, anything from them without knowing their trueintent ahaead of time.
We are so gullable when we are desperate. High praises for that whistleblower, without whom we'd never have seen the light of day on this issue. And, thanks Sho for bringing this to our attention. You are such a treasure when it comes to issues that are so important to all of us.
In another group I belong to, the makers of the new oral drug have offered free trips to the top bloggers on the site. That trip is to Switzerland for the 4 lucky winners. Are they bringing them there to become a marketing tool for the drug and by that mean to influence those who follow the stie, or is it to learn from real people with MS on what their needs are? Who knows, but I for one would not accept a free trip, money, anything from them without knowing their trueintent ahaead of time.
We are so gullable when we are desperate. High praises for that whistleblower, without whom we'd never have seen the light of day on this issue. And, thanks Sho for bringing this to our attention. You are such a treasure when it comes to issues that are so important to all of us.
That and doctors be involved in Drug trials. Of course they prescribe drugs they have ties to. I had one Neurologist prescribe Copaxone after I was no longer his patient. The pharmacy knew I had a new Neurologist and was going off it so they went back to the other doctor to fill it. I had not seen the Doctor in over a year and had just talked to the Pharmacy several times that week explaining my position.
It even happens in Veterinary Medicine. I went to some fine restaurants on the drug companies dime because I ordered the supplies. It made no difference to me since I am not easily swayed in fact I am the opposite. You try to sell me something and I wonder what is wrong with it.
Akex
It even happens in Veterinary Medicine. I went to some fine restaurants on the drug companies dime because I ordered the supplies. It made no difference to me since I am not easily swayed in fact I am the opposite. You try to sell me something and I wonder what is wrong with it.
Akex
Quelle Surprise!! I work in Cardiology, and I see this year in and year out. Makes me crazy! No big surprise it's happening in neurology,(or any other specialty) too.
I'm with Lu, and off to read the MRF stuff.
I told my Dad, if he were looking for investments to help with MS, MRF would be my choice. I think he listened, too.
I'm with Lu, and off to read the MRF stuff.
I told my Dad, if he were looking for investments to help with MS, MRF would be my choice. I think he listened, too.
This lends support to my observation that good neuros, working without conflict, will be recommending the patient chose their treatment rather than picking one for them. This elininates the conflict of interest for the doctor and the patient. Well, sort of.
There is a new federal law which requires all these donations/honorariums to doctors be publicly listed. I think it dgoes into effect in the new year or two. The cardio drug companies are already on board and it is amazing how much money is offered to support talks, travels, professional development.
Working at a university, we do the same thing for our faculty. We support their research and travel. but it usually doesn't involve patients' care.
I am disappointed but not surprised by the support of CMSC. If you look at every patient program out there, I would guess 100% of them are supported by one of the big pharmas.
sorry if I am rambling here and not making sense. I'll go read about MRF - I love Scott Johnson and that gang.
Lu
There is a new federal law which requires all these donations/honorariums to doctors be publicly listed. I think it dgoes into effect in the new year or two. The cardio drug companies are already on board and it is amazing how much money is offered to support talks, travels, professional development.
Working at a university, we do the same thing for our faculty. We support their research and travel. but it usually doesn't involve patients' care.
I am disappointed but not surprised by the support of CMSC. If you look at every patient program out there, I would guess 100% of them are supported by one of the big pharmas.
sorry if I am rambling here and not making sense. I'll go read about MRF - I love Scott Johnson and that gang.
Lu
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
