A new code of conduct will change how companies market Rx meds.      You'll see fewer pens, mugs, notepads, and other giveaways... and more limits on restaurant meals and promotional events.      The new code is VOLUNTARY...self-imposed by the drug companies' own association, PhRMA. But most big drug companies will comply...to head off MANDATORY regulation.      Expect your reps to follow these new rules:      Gifts. Only educational items...textbooks, subscriptions, patient education materials, etc...worth up to $100...are okay.      Meals. Modest meals along with education in your office or hospital will replace restaurant outings with reps.      Educational talks. Drug companies can still sponsor CME and educational programs at restaurants, but the CME provider or organizer will make the arrangements...not the drug company.      Drug samples. These are still okay. No new restrictions.      Payments to prescribers. The federal gov't may soon require manufacturers to publicly report gifts and payments to physicians... under the pending Physician Payment Sunshine Act.      Literature. Reps still CAN'T legally talk about off-label uses...but they CAN hand you reprints of scientifically valid articles...under certain conditions.      Even some experts who are antimarketing see value in reps distributing good published literature about off-label uses.      But beware.  Literature might be cherry-picked to emphasize desirable outcomes and omit studies that show no benefit or even harm.      Expect to see more direct-to-consumer ads. They work.  About a third of adults ask for an advertised drug...and nearly half get it.      NoFreeLunch.org, PrescriptionProject.org, and others are pushing legislation to rein in drug company influence.      Keep in mind that Prescriber's Letter never takes advertising. If you want an objective analysis of a drug or therapy, ask us.  We'll send you our published analyses...or consider the subject for future research and publication. View Detail-Document #240901

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INTRODUCTION

A new code of conduct will change how companies market Rx meds read this article

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The CDC now recommends giving flu vaccine to ALL children from 6 months to 18 years

Is there a clinical difference between Macrodantin and Macrobid?

CARDIOLOGY

whether they can get their potassium from foods instead of potassium supplements (Micro-K, Klor-Con, etc)

ARTHRITIS / RHEUMATOLOGY

Corticosteroids are being used more instead of NSAIDs for acute gout

DIABETES

more emphasis on identifying and treating patients with PRE-diabetes

ADHD

Stimulants work better than Strattera for treating ADHD in kids

RESPIRATORY / ALLERGY

new inhaled corticosteroid called Alvesco

SUPPLEMENTS

whether phytosterols in products such as Centrum Cardio and Bayer with Heart Advantage lower cholesterol

WOMEN'S HEALTH

Some WOMEN will be asking to try Viagra (sildenafil) for sexual dysfunction due to antidepressants

PEDIATRICS

recommends NOT treating most children with simple febrile seizures

Zingo will compete with other needle-free lidocaine products

DRUG REFORMULATIONS

launch a "new and improved" formulation just before a drug gets generic competition

CME QUESTIONS

September 2008 CME Questions

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