reward culture

[miranda in the city]

hi, i am not a pharmacist but work with a lot of GP's in the past and now. Do you get a lot of freebies like the medics, from the pharma companies like the medics?

[howe928]

gifts are prohibited now, normally get a business card + drug information leaflets
consider lucky to get a pen + a note pad

hmm....they might still throw an educational lunch in hospital or sponsor an educational dinner night

[LLUK77]

No - personally I think the gifts are unethical - the pens are usually useless and many pharmas are reducing post-its due to cost!!!. I also strongly disagree with "educational lunches". In my eyes, a lunch break should be just that - a total, complete break from work. Protected learning time - like Drs, Dentists and Solicitors get is the way to go.

[johnep]

Hospital Post Grad centres rely on reps to fund their lunch time meetings.
A Dr can attend these, get a free meal and have a snooze, and still get accreditation for CPD. I used to do an average of one a week when I was a rep. Also, when I became chair of the local branch, we were virtually bankrupt. I instigated pharma funded meetings and after a couple of years we were solvent again.

Are you so weak willed that a free pen will persuade you to prescribe/stock an item that you consider not of any value?

If so you flatter the cos and they will continue supporting with lunches.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Hospital Post Grad centres rely on reps to fund their lunch time meetings.
A Dr can attend these, get a free meal and have a snooze, and still get accreditation for CPD. I used to do an average of one a week when I was a rep. Also, when I became chair of the local branch, we were virtually bankrupt. I instigated pharma funded meetings and after a couple of years we were solvent again.

Are you so weak willed that a free pen will persuade you to prescribe/stock an item that you consider not of any value?

If so you flatter the cos and they will continue supporting with lunches.
johnep

Agree with John,
You have to be exposed to their tactics to develop immunity.
Plus, if you want some amusement you can ask them tricky questions.

[dizzyb23]

Nope not even a sticky note pad and a pen these days......

[johannes]

Sometimes giveaways for customers.