Commentary on medical news by a practicing physician.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Privacy: Finally got around to restricting drug reps' access to my prescribing data. It can be done here, but may take up to 90 days to go into effect.
Per the AMA "Although the AMA rejects the inappropriate use of prescribing data, it recognizes the legitimate use of these data by pharmaceutical companies in support of sound health care practices. For example, prescribing data are used to detect drug diversion, target promotional and marketing materials and distribute pertinent drug samples and educational materials to physicians. " Translation: We sell this information so that the drug reps can show up at your door and know what to sell you.
Doctors need to remember that the AMA sells other types of information such as name, address, specialty, years in practice, and any other information it has in it's master files on doctors.
Per the AMA "Although the AMA rejects the inappropriate use of prescribing data, it recognizes the legitimate use of these data by pharmaceutical companies in support of sound health care practices. For example, prescribing data are used to detect drug diversion, target promotional and marketing materials and distribute pertinent drug samples and educational materials to physicians. " Translation: We sell this information so that the drug reps can show up at your door and know what to sell you.
ReplyDeleteDoctors need to remember that the AMA sells other types of information such as name, address, specialty, years in practice, and any other information it has in it's master files on doctors.
Steve Lucas