Are GP's on Commission?

[Healeywoodclaret]

Has anyone ever thought this? The way they always give more than one item on each prescription prescribing two drugs when one would do. Often getting it wrong and trying other drugs. Medical Reps earn a packet. I'm sure they meet up with GP's reglarly pushing their products. Pharmaceutical firms making huge profits can afford to offer an incentive.

[tim_noone]

No.....otherwise people would have an appointment everyday instead of waiting a month.

[Rick_Muller]

I'm not sure if GP's are in on the racket, but I am fairly confident that dentists do it. After the last visit I was recommended Oral-B toothpaste with a free sample and a voucher for £1 off my next purchase, when I asked what had changed from the recommendation on the last visit that promoted Colgate she said that the practice had been persuaded to change it's advice.

In terms of GPs, what I do understand is that there is a concerted effort to get cheap drugs like paracetamol off the list of prescriptions, especially for people who get "free" prescriptions as it is ridiculous that the cost of administering these cheap drugs (the large amount of the prescription charge) is astronomical compared to the cost of the drugs themselves - 20p for Paracetamol for example.

For example my prescription drugs, I have very specific requirements and its usually the pharmacy trying to get me the cheaper drugs but I refuse and insist on the right drug with the right Pharmacological Number (PN) - instead of a cheaper (and different) version of the same drug. I.e. I need film coated Azathioprine but often they try and give me un-coated Azathioprine - same drug but will have a different PN - so based on this, I'm not sure the GPs will be profiting from prescribing specific drugs.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Theyd be stupid if they werent.

[fatboy47]

Has anyone ever thought this? The way they always give more than one item on each prescription prescribing two drugs when one would do. Often getting it wrong and trying other drugs. Medical Reps earn a packet. I'm sure they meet up with GP's reglarly pushing their products. Pharmaceutical firms making huge profits can afford to offer an incentive.

I've sat through plenty of presentations by hopeful reps plugging various wonder drugs...an hour of garbled pharmacology was usually topped off by a free lunch, but i honestly dont think it altered prescribing patterns...

[Hendrickxz]

I'm not sure if GP's are in on the racket, but I am fairly confident that dentists do it. After the last visit I was recommended Oral-B toothpaste with a free sample and a voucher for £1 off my next purchase, when I asked what had changed from the recommendation on the last visit that promoted Colgate she said that the practice had been persuaded to change it's advice.

In terms of GPs, what I do understand is that there is a concerted effort to get cheap drugs like paracetamol off the list of prescriptions, especially for people who get "free" prescriptions as it is ridiculous that the cost of administering these cheap drugs (the large amount of the prescription charge) is astronomical compared to the cost of the drugs themselves - 20p for Paracetamol for example.

For example my prescription drugs, I have very specific requirements and its usually the pharmacy trying to get me the cheaper drugs but I refuse and insist on the right drug with the right Pharmacological Number (PN) - instead of a cheaper (and different) version of the same drug. I.e. I need film coated Azathioprine but often they try and give me un-coated Azathioprine - same drug but will have a different PN - so based on this, I'm not sure the GPs will be profiting from prescribing specific drugs.

Oral B? To paraphrase Crocodile Dundee --"You can use it, it'll clean your teeth, but it tastes like ****!"

[FactualFrank]

If a dentist make their money off people with unhealthy teeth, why should I trust a toothpaste that 4 out of 5 dentists recommend?

[Rowls]

I'm not sure if GP's are in on the racket, but I am fairly confident that dentists do it. After the last visit I was recommended Oral-B toothpaste with a free sample and a voucher for £1 off my next purchase, when I asked what had changed from the recommendation on the last visit that promoted Colgate she said that the practice had been persuaded to change it's advice.

In terms of GPs, what I do understand is that there is a concerted effort to get cheap drugs like paracetamol off the list of prescriptions, especially for people who get "free" prescriptions as it is ridiculous that the cost of administering these cheap drugs (the large amount of the prescription charge) is astronomical compared to the cost of the drugs themselves - 20p for Paracetamol for example.

For example my prescription drugs, I have very specific requirements and its usually the pharmacy trying to get me the cheaper drugs but I refuse and insist on the right drug with the right Pharmacological Number (PN) - instead of a cheaper (and different) version of the same drug. I.e. I need film coated Azathioprine but often they try and give me un-coated Azathioprine - same drug but will have a different PN - so based on this, I'm not sure the GPs will be profiting from prescribing specific drugs.

Don't know if dentists take commission or not but I do know that the practices are all treated very nicely by the pharmacy companies.

I was never short of toothpaste or mouthwash samples when I worked at one.

It's possibly -and very probably- against some kind of regulation or code of conduct for the GDC to accept commission but dentists are free to honestly recommend whichever toothpaste brand has freely stocked up their practice for them.

They all have the same active ingredient and I'm sure if you really pressed an honest dentist they'd much rather you used any toothpaste than none at all.

[dsr]

Don't know if dentists take commission or not but I do know that the practices are all treated very nicely by the pharmacy companies.

I was never short of toothpaste or mouthwash samples when I worked at one.

It's possibly -and very probably- against some kind of regulation or code of conduct for the GDC to accept commission but dentists are free to honestly recommend whichever toothpaste brand has freely stocked up their practice for them.

They all have the same active ingredient and I'm sure if you really pressed an honest dentist they'd much rather you used any toothpaste than none at all.

Agreed. All toothpastes (teethpaste?) are basically the same, so use the one that you think tastes best. Which is Aquafresh. Or if you get used to the flavour and want a change, get a different type each new tube. Whatever's cheapest seems like a good shout.

[mdd2]

You would be surprised how the "freebies" have disappeared. Pharma has to follow really strict rules these days-not even allowed to give pens to the profession if there is any advertising material on it.
If you are getting too many repeat drugs you need to strike the ones out not needed when you put in for a repeat-I do.

[Guppyspotter]

My wife is a full time GP partner and she certainly isn't on commission. Her viewpoint is definitely that she is there to provide a service and feels it a privilege to do the job she does. Sorry to disappoint.

[Rowls]

Agreed. All toothpastes (teethpaste?) are basically the same, so use the one that you think tastes best. Which is Aquafresh. Or if you get used to the flavour and want a change, get a different type each new tube. Whatever's cheapest seems like a good shout.

I like to shop around and deliberately buy different toothpaste all the time. That way I have the thrill of a new toothpaste flavour once every couple of months.

It adds a level of thrill and excitement to my life.

[Cleveleys_claret]

I like to shop around and deliberately buy different toothpaste all the time. That way I have the thrill of a new toothpaste flavour once every couple of months.

It adds a level of thrill and excitement to my life.

I do this with soap. Making sure my bits are washed with a different soap every few weeks. More for the wifes benefit, gives her a different fragrance to sample every few weeks

[AlargeClaret]

Has anyone ever thought this? The way they always give more than one item on each prescription prescribing two drugs when one would do. Often getting it wrong and trying other drugs. Medical Reps earn a packet. I'm sure they meet up with GP's reglarly pushing their products. Pharmaceutical firms making huge profits can afford to offer an incentive.

Ah the 80’s a wonderful time ...

[timshorts]

The bung they get for diagnosing dementia is a bit like a commission. Otherwise there's lots of free lunches etc going from drugs companies but the general attitude is that they are a time consuming nuisance.

[Pimlico_Claret]

I'm not sure if GP's are in on the racket, but I am fairly confident that dentists do it. After the last visit I was recommended Oral-B toothpaste with a free sample and a voucher for £1 off my next purchase, when I asked what had changed from the recommendation on the last visit that promoted Colgate she said that the practice had been persuaded to change it's advice.

In terms of GPs, what I do understand is that there is a concerted effort to get cheap drugs like paracetamol off the list of prescriptions, especially for people who get "free" prescriptions as it is ridiculous that the cost of administering these cheap drugs (the large amount of the prescription charge) is astronomical compared to the cost of the drugs themselves - 20p for Paracetamol for example.

For example my prescription drugs, I have very specific requirements and its usually the pharmacy trying to get me the cheaper drugs but I refuse and insist on the right drug with the right Pharmacological Number (PN) - instead of a cheaper (and different) version of the same drug. I.e. I need film coated Azathioprine but often they try and give me un-coated Azathioprine - same drug but will have a different PN - so based on this, I'm not sure the GPs will be profiting from prescribing specific drugs.

Dentists simply get samples sent from the major companies, Oral B, Colgate in particular. Give them out to patients, there was nothing particularly dodgy about it.
I'm still using the ones I got nearly 4 years since I packed it in.

[ecc]

The toothpaste isn't overally relevant. It's how you brush your teeth that matters. And using floss regularly.