Learnings from Private-Label Groceries - Generic Drugs

Reports surfaced recently that growth from private-label (i.e. store brand) versions of groceries has risen dramatically as the economy has worsened and gas prices have increased. Even though thought to be inferior in quality or perhaps more importantly taste, these days the products are as good or perhaps better than brand names.

"Store brands have come a long way," said Tod Marks, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, which has tested store brands against national brands for quality and customer response. "Over the years, retailers realized that store brands were not just something to be floated out during hard times."

With consumers very price conscious these days, they should have no hesitation in asking their doctor for generic medications. These are medications that are proven but no longer have patent protection so the price is affordable. The public should not be fooled in thinking that newer is better. Most of the latest drugs are "me too" cholesterol, blood pressure, allergy, diabetes, and heartburn medications. Pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars equal or exceeding marketing budgets of alcoholic and soda companies to influence you to prefer their brand.

Evidently the makers of Ambien CR is acutely aware of this as in a television ad they note that Ambien CR is not available as a generic, even though there are plenty of helpful generic sleep aids that can provide sleep at a price that people can feel good about.

Banning Pharmaceutical Companies from Medical Schools

A report recommends that the nation's medical schools ban doctors, students, and staff from accepting gifts from pharmaceutical companies.

Well it's about time. Although surveys routinely indicate that doctors believe that cannot be influenced by these small tokens and gifts, in fact, the change in behavior is quite subtle. In the same surveys, doctors feel that their colleagues are more likely to be influenced by pharmaceutical marketing than they are. As a result of these practices, doctors prescribe the newest therapy, not necessarily the most proven or most effective (note the prescribing of VYTORIN, a combination cholesterol lowering medication never proven to decrease heart attack risk). The free medication samples dropped off by a pharmaceutical representative typically go to those who have health insurance, not those who have a true need despite what we tell ourselves.

Let's get real. For patients to trust their doctors, we need to be unbiased and separate any appearance of impropriety that would violate that trust. Patients are already confused with the myriad of information and advertisements about medical therapy. They need someone who can look out for their best interest. That is our role as doctors. If this policy is adapted by the 129 medical schools, which it is expected, then perhaps the next generation of doctors will do the right thing and not get distracted or fooled by small gifts that have clouded their colleagues' professional judgment.