Popular radio host has drug company ties

[antigop]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/health/22radio.html?_r=2&hp

An influential psychiatrist who served as the host of public radio’s popular “The Infinite Mind” program earned at least $1.3 million between 2000 and 2007 giving marketing lectures for drug makers, income not mentioned on the program.

The psychiatrist and radio host, Dr. Frederick K. Goodwin, is the latest in a series of doctors and researchers whose ties to drug makers have been uncovered by Senator Charles E. Grassley, a Republican from Iowa. Dr. Goodwin, a former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, is the first media figure investigated.

Dr. Goodwin’s radio programs have often touched on subjects important to the commercial interests of the companies for which he consults. In a program broadcast on Sept. 20, 2005, Dr. Goodwin warned that children with bipolar disorder who are left untreated could suffer brain damage, a controversial view. “But as we’ll be hearing today,” Dr. Goodwin reassured his audience, “modern treatments — mood stabilizers in particular — have been proven both safe and effective in bipolar children.”

That very day, GlaxoSmithKline paid Dr. Goodwin $2,500 to give a promotional lecture for its mood stabilizer drug, Lamictal, at the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. Indeed, Glaxo paid Dr. Goodwin more than $329,000 that year for promoting Lamictal, records given Congressional investigators show.

[Donnachaidh]

1. Big Pharma WHORES

The way they justify their swag-taking is amazing! :puke:

[Warpy]

3. Never, ever take health advice from somebody on the radio or TV

and be damned careful about what you find online. There is a limit to what anyone can diagnose without having you sit directly in front of them, usually presenting symptoms plus a diagnostic workup.

Radio and TV docs are prime targets for Big Pill payola, your own doc not so much.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. You might be surprised how much "your own doc"

might have various financial conflicts of interest these days.

Depending on where they are and what kind of practice they are involved in, they could be co-investors in the hospital to which you are admitted, investors in the company manufacturing the hardware or device being implanted into you, or they make a profit on the chemotherapy you receive.

[Warpy]

6. Even docs with the bedside manner

of a puff adder with a hangover aren't going to sacrifice patient health for a few bucks in dividends from his investments.

Lawsuits are messy and time consuming and carry much more threat than loss of a few bucks here and there because they sent a patient to a different specialty hospital or prescribed an unnecessary drug.

The docs aren't the problem here.

[trotsky]

7. You forget where you're posting, Warpy.

Here in the Health Dungeon, docs are ALWAYS the problem. :sarcasm:

[Celebration]

10. mostly, you are right

I have to believe that very, very few doctors would purposefully endanger the health of their patients, for financial or ANY reason.

But unneeded diagnostic procedures when they have money invested in expensive equipment? Well, yeah, I think that's fairly common.

I knew some orthopedic doctors who owned a PT business. Guess where they sent their patients?

Another issue is their sending patients to surgery centers that they own, and thus skimming the insurance paying people away from the public hospitals, who have to treat the uninsured. This is a really huge issue in some communities. The public hospitals are going broke and the surgeons are enriching their pockets.

[Warpy]

12. You need to understand a couple of things

First, physicians have to fight insurance company bean counters tooth and nail for the more expensive diagnostic procedures using that high ticket equipment.

Second, most insurance companies have contracts with specific hospitals and won't approve specialty hospitals outside the plan, even if those specialty hospitals offer vitally needed treatment. The exception is BC/BS, and even they are changing. The specialty hospitals skim off patients with Medicare and generous private insurance, but not the rank and file patients, especially those with HMO coverage.

The docs aren't the problem.

[Hannah Bell]

8. I know a few like that here in my town.

According to the pro-establishment posters here, it never happens.

But it does.

[cosmik debris]

2. At least he is not as bad as the Big Snake Oil Whores

Like Kevin Trudeau, making millions selling fake cures.

[Hannah Bell]

9. A whore is a whore.

[Celebration]

11. with Kevin Trudeau

At least you know his infomercials are infomercials, and commercial. You know where his loyalties lie. But a PBS program? People don't expect that to be an infomercial. This is insidious and very dangerous. Everyone knows Trudeau makes money on the stuff he sells.

[Celebration]

4. On these issues, I am thankful for Grassley n/t

[itsrobert]

13. Most doctors have ties to these companies

A healthy diet and exercise can do more for most people than a pill. I'm not saying some pills aren't necessary, but a lot of times doctors and patients rely on them too much.