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The number of D.C. physicians who in 2011 received 52 or more meals at the expense of drug companies—on average, enough for at least one industry-funded meal per week, according to a new analysis of pharmaceutical marketing expenses led by School of Public Health Professor Susan F. Wood.
Free meals, GW Today reports, were a piece of nearly $19 million-worth in gifts (including grants, speaking fees, product samples and promotional items) given to individuals, hospitals, clinics and organizations in D.C. in 2011. “There is nothing inherently wrong with such gifts,” said Dr. Wood. “However, this report draws attention to the amount being spent on marketing drugs and raises questions about whether some heavily marketed drugs may be prescribed more extensively than is appropriate.”
