October 25, 2007 6:20 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Prescription For Reform

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They say "there's no such thing as a free lunch." Unless you're a doctor. Drug companies are spending billions to woo medical professionals. And Congress is considering a bill that might change that.

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by ericmichael1 October 27, 2007 12:40 AM EDT: Gerald, you have a stutter.

AGAIN.; Reply to this comment


by freemktnc October 26, 2007 6:26 PM EDT: Congress. There a joke in itself. Should CBS sales reps be able to wine and dine customers?; Reply to this comment


by kenhamlett October 26, 2007 4:38 PM EDT: EricMichael1 Has a point of view that I don''t care to challenge or augment.
Thanks for the sound opinion!; Reply to this comment


by ericmichael1 October 26, 2007 3:27 PM EDT: Are there not enough books of federal statutes?

Legislation attacks the actions. But these actions are motivated by what is in a person''s heart, his/her inner person, with all his/her sense of ethics, morality and personal dignity.

If only the ethics were there, how many trees could we save? And CD Rom''s?

For a person who has pledged to protect humans to allow medication companies to alter their treatment of patients through gifts and perks: what have we come to as a nation?

But, Katie, look at the CBS advertising lineup, the same drug companies with the same tactics:

Using psychological tricks and mirrors in ads to influence what people will put into their own bodies is ethically wrong, too.

It is time for us all to look into our own hearts, into our own ethics, morality and personal dignity.

And you can''t legislate the heart, Katie. You just can''t legislate the heart.

Eric; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw October 26, 2007 4:07 AM EDT: Dear Katie,
I think that it is wise that Congress is considering a national bill to limit the lunches,gift giving & paying of travel expenses & speaking fees of doctors paid for by billion dollar drug companies. Regulations similar to the limits already in effect in Minnesota would be helpful to limit the influence of drug companies upon doctors. As the Prescription Project study indicates, the influence of gifts, lunches, travel expenses, & speaking fees being paid for by drug companies may create a conflict of interest and even may influence the choice of medication a doctor may decide to use for their patients.
However,the drug companies may also provide important medical information about their drugs to physicians during low cost educational lunch meetings, which improve patient care, and as long as the lunches are not exorbitant and costly, I don''t see a major problem with an ocassional pizza lunch for physicians. And no one wants to see a doctor who is working on an empty stomach anyway.

And while Congress is at it, maybe it would be a good idea for Congress to consider passing a bill limiting the powerful lobbying influence of billion dollar drug companies on the members of Congress as well. And Congress should consider trying to pass some bills limiting the cost of health care,instituting national health insurance, & controlling prescription drug costs & all health care costs as well.

Except for Pizza, there should be no such thing as a free lunch!
Peter; Reply to this comment

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