| Pharmaceutical companies have inside data of virtually | | | | of specific drugs, many of which are no more |
| every doctor in the United States. This data records | | | | effective than much-cheaper alternatives." The recent |
| every prescription signed by every doctor, letting big | | | | controversy has also caused new bills in more than a |
| pharma know which doctors are prescribing the latest | | | | dozen states trying to protect their citizens from the |
| and most expensive drugs on the market. To put it in | | | | rising cost of healthcare brought upon by big pharma. |
| door to door salesman lingo, it's a list of every sucker | | | | AMA believes that they have helped through |
| in the neighborhood. Where do pharma companies | | | | "evidence-based medical research, structuring clinical |
| acquire this information? From the American Medical | | | | trials, efficient drug recalls, aiding the Food and Drug |
| Association. Dr. John Santa, an internist at the Portland | | | | Administration's ongoing post-approval assessment of |
| Veterans Affairs Medical Center and consultant to the | | | | drug benefits versus risks, and many other uses." But |
| Prescription Project and is also a part of a coalition | | | | there is still no explanation as to why they need to |
| trying to curb drug companies' access to doctor | | | | provide doctors providing habits to big pharma. Several |
| prescribing information said, "Doctors are not aware | | | | of the new bills being passed have allowed doctors to |
| that companies are out there that know every | | | | decide whether the information gathered from their |
| prescription a doctor prescribes. Consumers should | | | | prescribing habits can be used to make or promote |
| care because here's this very effective information | | | | drugs. Click here for more information on ordering from |
| and data system that is not being used to improve | | | | discount online prescriptions. |
| quality or safety of their care but to increase the sales | | | | |