I am 100% certain that doctors do not get any kickbacks or benefits from handing out samples from drug companies. My hubby is a dr. and trust me, he doesn't get any benefits from it.

Now, vets on the other hand, I don't know about them. But I would guess that the vets are just like human doctors...they get these samples for free, so why not hand it out to patients for free?? I bet the fact that patients get free food/free drugs from them keeps a lot of people coming back to them. You know?? In that case there would definately be some sort of reward for handing out these free samples....repeat customers! :thumbup:

Are you sure? :confused:

I am 100% positive. I asked my hubby who is a doctor and he said it is actually against the law for doctors to get kickbacks or any kind of benefits for prescribing certain kinds of medications.

My vet sells Science Diet but did not push it on me. In fact she asked me what I was feeding Kali. I told her she gets nutro natural puppy lamb & rice. And she get Royal Canine puppy mini 24/7. She told me excellent choice to continue with that.

TroubleTB - You are 1000% absolutely wrong about doctors getting kickbacks for handing out or prescribing certain mediations.

This is so against the law - that a doctor wouldn't touch it with a 100-foot pole....nor would they even care to. I have worked with more than 30 radiologists, 18 cardiologists, and dozens of other physicians for the past 30 years. Plus as an medical office manager and supervisor - just imagine the amount of time that I have spent with pharmautical reps.

What you are suggesting is sooooooo totally illegal - no doctor would jeporadize his practice and income by doing this. No doctor would even want to become involved in this.

Kickbacks!!!!!! A law passed (probably 8 or 10 years ago by the FDA) statedthat drug companies had to limit any gifts they gave to physicians to $25 or less.

Drug companies do buy lunches for our office often - hoping to get a chance to sit with our 9 doctors and tell them about their new medications, etc. And, they leave all sorts of inexpensive stuff in our office advertising their medications (pens, not pads, mouse pads, and things like this).

Interestingly, the only way any pharmautical rep could do any more for any physician would be if he did it from his own pocket -- and, believe me, he wouldn't want to do this - nor would any of the doctors I work for do anything other than report him to his company. They would want no part of it.

Sometime - I really wonder how these rumors get started.

Doing what you mentioned would be a no-win situation for everyone involved.... the drug company, its employees, our physicians, and their employees.

I sure hope everyone is clear on this.

Carol Jean

I'm glad someone is agreeing with me ;)

Really? Wow, I didn't know that. See what we think about things when we don't know the truth? I'm guilty! :eek: :embarasse

I was told by vet pets have less waste (smaller amount of stool) so its better for house pet

Don't worry...I'm guilty too! I'm sure we ALL are! :p

Here's an article I found online. I thought it was pretty interesting...

http://www.simplyschnauzer.net/hills.html

Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery interesting. I guess that answers our question right there as to why vets recommend Science Diet!

Thanks so much for sharing that. :thumbup:

You're welcome. :) I couldn't believe the increase in sales in just fifteen years - from $40 million to $900 million. Someone knew what they were doing. :D

I think that another reason that the premium dog foods aren't readily recommended by vets is because they just don't have the marketing power that Hill's does...I mean come on, Hill's is owned by Colgate...they have all the money in the world to promote and market their products. I am sure that the companies that make the premium dog foods just don't have the kind of money to be giving out free dog food and money to be donating to research and universities and stuff. You know?!

I agree. It looks like it wasn't until Colgate got ahold of the company that it really took off.

"The bulk of our expenditure goes to the veterinary community," says John Steel, who just retired as Colgate's senior vice president of global marketing and sales.

A very clever move if you ask me.

My best friend is a drug rep and yes, his job is to give out samples and educate the doctors, but most of the money and time is spent coming up with elaborate things to do with the doctors. I always get invited along so it's fine with me, but I have had a full day at the spa, tons of parties, private bus with food, drinks to just go look at Christmas lights, so yes, docs do get "kickbacks" and may feel obligated to write say a name brand prescription, even if generic is available, with the reasoning that insurance companies are paying for it anyway.

I forgot to add I can get tickets to almost any entertainment or sporting events (the very best seats, of course).