Oct 09 2006
Would You Like A Free Sample?
I recently went for my yearly physical. As we all crowded onto the elevator, a twenty-something young woman rushed in after us.
Even if she weren’t pulling a black case, I would have guessed she was a drug rep.
- She was young.
- She was attractive.
- She was the “someone is not like others” passenger:
- She was accessorized.
- She was made up.
- She was wearing high heels.
- She was wearing a suit by Victoria Secrets.
As I checked in at my doctor’s office, I noticed something new. There were several different kinds of drug samples on the counter. They reminded me of the candy, chips and soda you’ll see near supermarket checkout lines.
It’s one thing to see Impulse Buys at the supermarket checkout. It’s another to see it at your doctor’s office.
Of course, the drugs weren’t for sale. These were free. Maybe you’d like to try some?
Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping? Do you ever feel sad?
Wouldn’t you want to try Levitra, Cymbalta, Nexium and Lunesta?
After filling out the usual forms, I settled in to wait. I was prepared. I brought a book. I had read a couple of chapters when in walks the drug rep I had seen earlier. She chatted brightly with the receptionist, asking if more samples were needed.
None were.
More bright chatter. Courteous wrap-up.
She then spun easily on her high heels and headed out the door, her black case of drugs wheeling behind her.
Young. Hot. Sexy.
So try the latest pill. It’s FDA-approved. It’s free.
Yeah … just listen to the cool dude on the street corner…taking one of these pills will make you feel so good.
Just take one from the pretty young woman.
Try it. It’s FREE.
Yep the drug reps are always hot babes. They are always dressed nice and I would take any poison they handed out. UNTIL NOW!! Because I know better and I know their evil tricks. EVIL, EVIL drug woman….GO AWAY!
Ricardo: It was Seriously Freaky to me to see all the drugs samples on the counter. I mean…these were drugs! My prior doctor was trying to “help” me (saving me money) by giving me samples of the antibiotic Levaquin when he thought (!!) I had an infection. Some drug rep had given him a sh*tload of samples which he then pushed onto me.
How can a doctor be up on the latest drugs? I don’t think they really know, heck they may know less than the average Googler!
Levaquin? Bad! Bad! Bad! My doctor? Bad! Bad! Bad! When I read stories about people who ignore their doctor’s advice, I do have some sympathy for them. I didn’t think I needed antibiotics adnd I didn’t. Now if I am unsure of my doctor’s advice, I keep researching. Doctors can be blinded by their specialty.
AND drug companies give them incentives to prescribe certain drugs. Like gifts and trips. It’s a shameful practice. Yes they throw out these drugs like candy and they VERY powerful.
Ricardo: I hadn’t thought about the INCENTIVES part. I have read medical thrillers about the research-doctors-big pharma conspiracy stuff that it does make me think.
I’m moving off topic but I am suspicious of drug, food, tobacco and cosmetic industries! When it comes to money, people will poison you for profit. Ugh.