National Physicians Alliance urges docs to go “unbranded”
The National Physicians Alliance is calling on doctors to push back on Big Pharma’s marketing machine by just saying “no” to branded tchotchkes, drug samples and sales rep pitches. Launched Tuesday, NPA’s “Unbranded Doctor” campaign urges docs to join a national network of physicians committed to reducing the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on the medical profession.
The campaign features a special website, http://unbrandeddoctor.org/ that offers docs “how tos” on becoming “unbranded,” including clever flyers and posters designed to inform patients why a doctor has chosen not see sales reps or distribute samples as well as sources of independent medical information and industry-free CME. The site also offers “Unbranded Doctor” coffee mugs, back packs, t-shirts and other products to replace the drug company-branded items that pollute doctors’ offices. For more information about the National Physicians Alliance, go to www.npalliance.org.
April 5th, 2008 at 12:58 am
There is no way we’re going to overturn the wasteful and expensive programs used by insurance companies without the help of doctors. This is a good start. Boycott the insurance freebies at the doctor’s office. Doctors also need to educate their patients with brochures and fliers or one on one. Citizens all over the country are uniting to educate and lobby their elected officials but nothing will succeed more than if the doctors take up the call for reform and pitch in with what they can do to help. Doctors need to join the movement for change. This article is a sign that the tide is turning and reform is on its way.