Map Helps Patients Figure Out Which Doctors Just Say No

Found on Twitter: Ted Eytan, MD -- physician who is into patient empowerment and e-health has started a map for physicians to self-identify that they do not have any financial ties to big pharma or medical device manufacturers.

Dr. Eytan describes “no financial ties” as “no financial interest or ties to, and have not received any honoraria from, pharmaceutical or device manufacturers.”

It's new, and so far, Dr. Eytan himself is the only one identified on the map has having no financial ties. You can find the map here.

Dr. Eytan believes, as many of us do, that when doctors are subsidized by those who profit from drugs and devices, then they are no longer providing objective medical advice to their patients. Drug company A pays the doctor for prescribing its drug. Drug Company B does not. Which prescription is she or he going to write? Even if it's more expensive for you, and may not be a better drug for you?

How big a problem is it? Some doctors are making millions on those kickbacks and payments. Some have lost their jobs over it. It's such a problem that some health organizations are beginning to take drastic steps to uncover their own doctors' ties. At least when they are forthcoming, we patients can make better decisions. It's called transparency.

So -- knowing those listings aren't on the map yet -- how can you help?

By asking that question of YOUR physicians. "Doctor. Do you have any financial interests in drug or device companies?"

"No? Well then, here's a web address for a map -- will you proudly tell the world you are free of that kind of encumbrance, and therefore you are able to provide your patients with far more objective treatment advice, far more helpful to them than to your own wallet?"

Of course, if your doctor says, "yes" he does have financial ties -- well then, you have some good information about that doctor that will give you a clue as to whether or not you can trust his or her advice.

Just so you know -- there's also a website with a searchable database called "No Free Lunch" that has the same purpose. If you want to check out your own doctor, you can do so.

Neither Dr. Eytan's map, nor No Free Lunch will showcase all the physicians who are un-pharma-encumbered. Nor will every doctor listed be truly untied from pharma financially -- we have to guess that some who make the claim may be accepting gifts, money and travel hoping no one will expose them.

But we have to start somewhere, and these two sites are a good place to do so. A hearty thanks from this patient empowerment preacher to both.

PS -- why not follow me on Twitter?

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