Ever wonder why prescription drugs ae so high? Simple I can tell you. "Because you are paying for them." and among other things.<br>Have you ever seen a pen pencil or coffee mug with the name of a prescription drug on it? That's where the money is going and they have to recuperate for all their advertising and let me tell you boy do they do it.<br><br>My father is a physician (internal medicine) and the pharmaceutical reps will give you the world to recommend their drugs. Here are some of the things we have gotten.<br><br>Difflucan =Coffee Mugs,Fanny Packs and Sports Seat hand towels<br>Viagra= Clock, Newtons Cradle, T-Shirts Frisbee and Water Bottle<br>Paxil = Microwave Popcorn (have so much of it I give it out for Halloween) Boxer Shorts , Pencil sharpener, Visors Magnifying glass<br>Oscal =Pen,s paper steno,s ruler back pack binders( never had to go back to school shopping)<br><br>An one drug company paid for a weekend getaway an the Grand Traverse Resort complete with a rental car of your choice.<br><br>In retrospect of all the stuff we received whether it was practical or not it was completely wasteful . They cut out a lot of this perhaps drugs would be cheaper. Why do they even have to advertise on TV It's my doctors job to recommend what is best for me not some commercial that shows a happy person running through daisies claiming they can breathe now. Ever notice how often and how long those commercial run?<br><br>Your premiums are paying for my next vacation.<br><br>

Not to mention all the advertising time they buy during the nightly news and Sunday morning programs. Man, have you watched any of the 6:30 (ET) news programs lately? You can't watch more than ten minutes without seeing at least three prescription drug commercials.<br><br>I almost feel like something's wrong with me because I don't have erectile difficulties or allergies of any kind. <br><br>-- Charlie Alpha Roger Yankee Whiskey<br>

If those types of gimme's are the best those pharmaceutical reps can come up with then they are rookies in the game of marketing one's product. <br><br>I just wined and dined a very, very important prospect in Buffalo, NY last night to the tune of $400+ in dinner and partying after. And I get to do this ALL the time. I love my job! <br><br>

I thought some laws were passed a couple of years ago barring Pharm reps from giving doctors gifts and taking then out to dinner and such?<br>(Although if such laws were passed I know the reps would have found the loopholes by now)<br><br>No sig right now, waiting for the next Kerry flip-flop. .

The last thing we received was 700mhz Hitachi all in one computer. It was supposed to be used for teleconferences, between doctors and reps but they abandoned the idea. Oh well free computer for us I guess. Trust me lots of waste in promotions.<br><br>

Not that I am aware of. But I am in finance and insurance. Insurance regulations prevent giving any gift with a value of over $5.00. But when I entertain I just wear my finance hat and expense it all through the finance end of the business. <br><br>