Care for an Éclair?
Some states are helping physicians in their rebellion against such tactics. Pennsylvania, according to an article in the current AARP Bulletin, has started something called an “unsales force” of trained, non-industry funded drug reps who go around visiting medical practices educating providers about all drugs — new, old, generic.
Ultimately, Leer said, changing the way Big Pharma does things will take legislative action. “If the pharmaceutical companies didn’t have the sway over the industry the way they do now, drugs — all drugs — would be cheaper. They’re cheaper in every other first world country in the world and pharmaceutical companies are still making a living. For instance, Canada’s national health system negotiates directly with drug companies for rates.” But here in the U.S., as written into law by the Bush Administration, Medicare can’t negotiate prescription drug prices with the companies. “We have take the price they give.”
In the meantime, Leer said he’d like to see some local action — maybe a “little formulary for free drugs, that are generic, that every provider can offer” to patients, Leer said. “Open Door would be the logical place to do that, because they get so much federal money. But they also get so much free stuff they like from the drug companies.”
The question of freebies remains, for the most part, an individual decision. “I think, frankly, physicians should do the moral thing and step back from the influence,” said Leer.
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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