Direct TV pharmaceutical marketing – a good thing?

I recently read an article in High Country News about a fellow who said his mom was so proud of him.  He had become a doctor.  And he didn’t even go to med school.  All he had to do was to watch TV.  As a result, he learned about depression, dry eyes, restless leg syndrome….you know the ads.

Are these ads good for consumers?  Are they bad?  Do these ads benefit patients by bringing them medications or technology that their doctors perhaps would have overlooked?  In my practice I see many patients that are on ‘these’ medications.  Would they use Restasis if it was non-covered by their insurance or would patients simply use Visine. 

What I’ve seen with my patients is that the marketing of these medications has been very effective.  So much so that many of my patients now seem to have restless leg syndrome when perhaps they didn’t know that they had had it in the past.

Most importantly is the cost of these medications.  For the most part, doctors are kept out of the loop in terms of cost.  We have no idea how much a prescription cost should a patient try to pay out-of-pocket.  How does a pharmaceutical company fund a TV ad campaign?  I think you see the point I’m trying to make.  Direct marketing of pharmaceuticals to consumers isn’t done to help them solve their medical problems.  It’s marketing and marketing is done to sell.

Jeff

Diabetes – not the disease to have when you’re uninsured.

Here’s how the conversation goes with a diabetic patient….(Dr.)So how’s your blood sugar doing?  (Pt)  Oh, it’s fine, doc.  (Dr.)When is the last time that you checked your blood sugar?  (Pt…head drops down) Oh, it’s been a couple of weeks, doc.  (Dr) Why?  Don’t you realize the long term implications of running high blood sugars?  (Pt)  It’s the test strip, doc.  They cost $3.00 each.  I just can’t afford it.  We don’t have any insurance.  All of our money is going to pay for the heart stents my husband just had.  (Dr.)You mean you’re paying for heart stent out of pocket?  (Pt)Yup.  We have no other way.  (Dr.) Are you going to be able to do it?  (Pt) I’m sure we’re looking at bankruptcy here sometime in the future.

This conversation is all too common.  And for all those who are brave enough to come into the office for care in light of their lack of coverage, think of all those who simply don’t see a doctor!  So what we end up with is a patient that could have lead a healthy and productive life.  this person is now knowingly doomed to a slow demise from kidney failure, amputation and blindness due to their diabetes.

And it all goes back to a $3 chem strip.

Jeff

Forcing individuals to purchase health care coverage?

I was midway through the morning last week seeing patients when I noticed the patient I was talking to was uninsured.  She told me that she was a single mom with one son out of the house and a teenage daughter at home.  She works at Tim Horton’s for minimum wage and earned too much to qualify for health coverage with Medicaid.  The last thing that this gal needs is a tax credit on her income tax for health care expenditures.  She needs more than that.  She needs health care.  Period.

So last night I watch the Republican candidates square off on a Fox News debate.  Each offers their own version of free market based solution.  Congressman Tom Cancredo summed up the misconception of most of those in government.  He said that for those who can’t afford to pay for health coverage, there’s Medicaid.  He should try working at Tim Horton’s.

And that’s the problem with health coverage.  Those who currently are in office and who do not have to worry about being covered have no idea of what it’s like on the streets.  What it’s like having a sick child when you can’t afford to pay the bill.  Or the ever looming threat of bankruptcy.  It’s real and it’s crippling so many.

Jeff