E-DRUG: Drug promotion and (ir)rational prescribing (2)
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This is an important issue. Reps easily find their way in
hospitals and may have much influence on the prescribing
behaviour of junior doctors. Drug therapy prescribed in
hospital will often be copied by primary healthcare after
discharge. One way out is the solution used by one of the
larger (community, non-academic) hospitals in my country:
The medical staff and the hospital pharmacist close the
door to reps, but they are invited to present any new drugs
or trials at a full staff meeting once a month over a sandwich and a
cup of coffee. Such invitations are often accepted not by
the rep but by the medical adviser of the company who will
be happy to make the presentation him (her-) self. It requires
some self-discipline and the support of the hospital management.
The quality of the information provided is also greatly improved.
Best wishes,
Leo Offerhaus
Chopinstraat 9 NL-1077 GL Amsterdam The Netherlands
Tel. 0031-20-6762434 Fax 0031-20-6756590
From 11.09.97: Tel 0031-35-6923288 Fax 0031-35-6923290
E-mail LO@EURONET.NL, CompuServe 71530,15
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