A new Cochrane review, covering dozens of earlier studies, concludes that gifts and payments from drugmakers to doctors are associated with increases in both the number of prescriptions written and the rate of inappropriate prescribing. The review's authors say the findings are "problematic" for multiple reasons and directly affect patient care, likely driving up health care costs.
The analysis also looked at pharmaceutical advertising and education directed at physicians. Those activities probably boost inappropriate prescribing and may raise the cost of prescriptions. However, the reviewers found insufficient evidence to determine whether free drug samples and similar promotions influence which medicines are added to hospital formularies.
On the other hand, conflict-of-interest policies that restrict or manage interactions between companies and doctors were found to probably improve prescribing practices. The review therefore suggests that tightening such policies could mitigate some of the negative effects seen from industry outreach.