The suit revolves around benefits for high prescribers for all types of items like concert tickets, liquor and so on. The article from the AMA says drug reps told low 
prescribers that they would not receive free samples or other invites. The sales plan was called “Rounding Up the Doctors” that began back in 2001.
I am guessing this may have covered more than one drug as there is not one named in particular as this is what we usually see in the news. The case goes back to 2007 and now is unsealed since the CA insurance commissioner has the suit. BD
California's insurance commissioner is suing pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., accusing the drug company of bribing physicians using an assortment of kickbacks to prescribe the company's drugs.
According to the lawsuit, physicians deemed "high prescribers" by Bristol-Myers received trips to basketball camps, free concert tickets, autographed basketball merchandise, liquor, golf outings and other rewards to boost prescriptions. Low-prescribing doctors were warned by drug reps that they would not receive free samples or event invitations, the suit said.
The suit was filed in 2007 by former Bristol-Myers employees in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. The suit was sealed until early March of this year, when California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones joined the complaint and requested that it be made public.
Bristol-Myers was among 55 drug companies that signed on to an ethical interactions code established by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said PhRMA spokeswoman Kate Connors. Under part of the voluntary code, companies are prohibited from providing entertainment or recreational items such as theater tickets and vacations to any health care professional who is not part of the company.
0 comments :
Post a Comment