Doctors and Drug Companies

[Nifr]

I'm writing to see what people here know about the relationship between doctor's and drug companies. Mainly, I'd like to know because I'm on the warpath right now and I want to figure out what just happened to me before my next trip to the doctor's office. Here's what happened.

I've been on simvastatin for the last 2 years. Initially I paid maybe $10 for the prescription. Recently, pharmacies around here started this $4 prescription program which includes simvastatin. So here I am going along paying $4 per month for this medication.

Now all of a sudden, basically out of nowhere, my doctor decides I need to be on Vytorin instead. So they called in the prescription and I was suckered into paying $30 for this bleeping prescription.

Now isn't that just funny that (1) there are as many drug reps in the waiting room as there are patients when I visit the doctor and (2) now that everyone is paying only $4 for their cholesterol medication, they're finding some sneaky way to raise the rates.

So, before I go charging into my doctor's office like a raging maniac, I'd just like to get a little background on exactly what the drug reps are "doing" for the doctors that are causing things like this to happen.

Anyone have insight?

Most appreciated,
Jennifer

[Moonglo]

What did your doctor say about why he was changing your medication?

IMO, if your doctor cannot give you a satisfactory reason for changing your meds without consulting you, it is time to find a new md. Just my opinion.

Remember, you are paying him to take care of you. If that's not happening, he's not doing his job.

Just my opinion though.

[Granny Shanny]

I agree with Moonglo . . . he needs a good reason for changing your meds, and if he can't come up with it, find a new doc.

My own doc is usually on the warpath himself. I mentioned in another thread that DH is on Zyprexa & has been for nine years. Even though doc prescribes it because DH does need it, and it works, doc can rant for 30 minutes about the ripoff by the drug companies on just this one drug. When a different doc at the free clinic prescribed Lipitor for me, my own doc didn't find out about it until I went in for followup, & he had a fit about that too - switched me to a $4 statin instantly.

So I guess I'd have to say it kinda depends on how receptive is the doc. I guess a lot - mebbe even most - of them ARE receptive, but some are still holding out & taking care of their patients' pocketbooks as well as their health.

[Nifr]

The doctor says that one portion of the Vytorin will target the ldl cholesterol and he wants mine to be below 70. Right now it's 109. I don't know, I just don't trust anyone at this point and it seems to me that everything is just a scam to get more money.

I've been exercising and eating more low carb lately, which in all honesty is probably at least part of the reason my ldl has gone down. Who knows, maybe it will continue to do that on its own.

I'm just very skeptical of the situation and the motivation. And I like my doctor. In general he is very good, and he has tried to help me in other situations when I've had disputes with the insurance company.

[MCS]

My general findings have been, The drug reps dump all these free samples on the docs. You go in there and the doc says I got just the thing for you, and I will give you 3 months worth of samples so you do not have to pay anything. Three months is up, your hooked and the script cost $100 or so a month. This is bad, been there way to many times. Now I ask the doc when he says something like try a free sample and I ask him if he will provide free samples until his supply runs out.

[GretchO]

This is the policy at MGH MGH policy (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/10/partners_curbs_doctors_drug_industry_ties/).

In the diabetes clinic they had a sign saying that drug company representatives weren't allowed to visit at all (i think MGH policy is they can't visit unless invited) - the only non-patients allowed to visit were pump representatives.

[fgummett]

Are you currently on any medication for your cholesterol/lipids? How are your HDL and Triglycerides?

My reading opens up many doubts about the role of "high cholesterol" in heart disease and the use of Statins... especially in women.

[ShottleBop]

Vytorin is a combination of simvastatin and ezatimibe (Zetia).

[inkvisitor]

Yep, salespeople plain and simple. I would seriously question your doctor's initiative for putting you on the new medication.

[retired60]

Have you seen the ads lately about Lipitor and generic statins. They want you to continue to pay the high price for their meds when there are generics out there now that will do the same thing. There out there in numbers to keep the price high Sales Rep's Lobbyists, etc.Tell your doc you need generic or get rid of him.

[Nifr]

Thanks to all for your replies.

Frank, I appreciate your comment. I have followed your pro low-carb posts, and after reading them, started reading Good Calories, Bad Calories. I have yet to finish it - heavy reading for someone who doesn't have a ton of time. This concept sticks in my mind though.