I don't really know what it says that the Association of Medical Colleges actually had to release a report concluding "offers of free food, gifts, travel and ghost-writing services by drug and medical device companies should be spurned by doctors, staff and students in medical colleges to avoid conflicts of interest." Wouldn't a big sign with the word "BRIBES" crossed out basically serve the same purpose? The report also recommends that "visits to physicians by pharmaceutical representatives occur only by appointment or at the doctor's invitation, and that the visitors be restricted to non-patient areas." Reminds me that last time I went to the dermatologist, he asked if I minded if a pharmaceutical representative sat in on our appointment. I told him I did, and felt like I'd made a faux pas. Charming. And mine wasn't even a former cheerleader.
