CASE

“Should I accept drug company goodies?”

It is no secret that throughout all the years of training, and beyond, drug companies court doctors. Also obvious is the fact that the companies lavish more attention on us as residents than when we were medical students; but in my experience, from the very beginning the lure of drug company offerings has been an ever-present enticement. There are all those free pens, writing pads and, more temptingly, weekly lunches in the conference room cosponsored by a department and a drug company. Knowing there is no such thing as a truly “free lunch,” and these perks are being offered for a purpose, should I accept drug company goodies? I do not feel that I am selling my soul by accepting hospitality and marketing gifts, but at the same time I do not feel entirely comfortable. Is my integrity necessarily compromised by enjoying such benefits? Would it be morally permissible to accept some perks but not others?

COMMENTARY

Gifts from industry

The universal practice of pharmaceutical companies bestowing gifts on physicians is well documented. (1–6) However, this practice is controversial because gifts cost money, and the cost is ultimately passed on to their patients without their explicit knowledge.