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Anne L. Hume, PharmD
Memorial Hospital Pawtucket, RI

JAMA. 1990;263(16):2177-2178.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

The article entitled "Doctors, Drug Companies, and Gifts"1 is surprising for its naïveté, yet is profoundly disturbing for its characterization of both physicians and drug companies. Drug companies spend their money to gain our attention, rather than our gratitude. Were we to live in a land where there was only one drug company, and it was controlled by the state, this would not be necessary. The authors state that three problems concern them. First, gifts cost patients money. Second, acceptance may erode common perception and threaten physician-patient relationships by altering prescribing habits. Finally, that obligation ensues that engenders relationships at patients' expense.

The advertising business is such a pervasive force in our economy that it would be foolish to believe that the pharmaceutical industry alone would be immune. Television already directs advertisements at consumers, bypassing physicians. And numerous allied health professionals, including pharmacists, have a significant influence . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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