Do pharmacists get paid to reccomend products?

[awilkes]

I took my daughter to the dermatologist for her acne and he gave her a prescription for accutane.  I took the scrip to Walgreen's and the Pharmacist kept insisting that i try an over the counter product called "Clear" by Aleavia.  I know that reps pay doctors to push some prescriptions and what not but i was wondering if the pharmacist is getting paid to push the aleavia product.  He sounded very convincing and we ended up not buying it in the store as i always look on line for the best deals lol.  I got a sample of the product on the companies website so i will try it but we still got accutane.  What are your thoughts about my suspicions?

 

[Dragonfly]

I was on Accutane twice and I can tell you it is a godsend. I hope your daughter gets great results from it. Accutane comes with a host of minor side affects and complaints.

Was the pharmacist recommending "Clear" because it might benefit your daughter while she is on Accutane?

...................................

In Canada, the Pharmacist typically owns the pharmacy. Any products they sell over the counter they would profit on - as they are the business owner.

But I highly doubt they would encourage you to buy anything unless they felt it would help you.

 

[zadidoll]

Originally Posted by awilkes /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I took my daughter to the dermatologist for her acne and he gave her a prescription for accutane.  I took the scrip to Walgreen's and the Pharmacist kept insisting that i try an over the counter product called "Clear" by Aleavia.  I know that reps pay doctors to push some prescriptions and what not but i was wondering if the pharmacist is getting paid to push the aleavia product.  He sounded very convincing and we ended up not buying it in the store as i always look on line for the best deals lol.  I got a sample of the product on the companies website so i will try it but we still got accutane.  What are your thoughts about my suspicions?

They shouldn't be but it depends on state law where you live. Most pharmacists are not directly or indirectly paid by pharmaceutical companies because it's against most store policies and the pharmacist can get fired for it, I've seen it happen in the past (I worked as a B-Tech for a short time at one store). If the pharmacist refused to fill your prescription then contact the store manager because most states have laws where the pharmacist CAN'T refuse to fill prescription even if it's due to personal beliefs (though some do allow it). It is possible that the store or chain itself is getting some kind of bonus for selling or promoting their products and so the pharmacist is told to push it.

 

[divadoll]

I was on Accutane twice and I can tell you it is a godsend. I hope your daughter gets great results from it. Accutane comes with a host of minor side affects and complaints. Was the pharmacist recommending "Clear" because it might benefit your daughter while she is on Accutane? ................................... In Canada, the Pharmacist typically owns the pharmacy. Any products they sell over the counter they would profit on - as they are the business owner. But I highly doubt they would encourage you to buy anything unless they felt it would help you.

Or that they find that it is a better product than what was prescribed (costs less, less harmful). There are certain types of medications in Canada that pharmacist can prescribe to patients without a medical dr's consultation (not just OTC). A pharmacist should be allowed to refuse to fill a prescription if they knew that the drug will have adverse reactions to other prescriptions that has already been dispensed. There would be a culpability there if the pharm knew that and sold them the items anyways.

 

[wannabepoet]

it isn't legal in the usa to pay pharmacists to recommend drugs. otc or prescription. i work at a pharmacy and usually the pharmacists i work with always recommend something that should fulfill what you need. either they used it themselves or had customers say how great it worked. we get feedback all the time from our customers.

 

[zadidoll]

Originally Posted by wannabepoet /img/forum/go_quote.gif

it isn't legal in the usa to pay pharmacists to recommend drugs. otc or prescription. i work at a pharmacy and usually the pharmacists i work with always recommend something that should fulfill what you need. either they used it themselves or had customers say how great it worked. we get feedback all the time from our customers.

It is in some states. Massachusetts law went into effect in 2009. Minnesota in 1993. Other states have attempted to pass similar laws, some failed and some stalled and some I don't know the status of. Vermont also has a similar law prohibiting gifts (including monetary) that also passed in 2009.

http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0202.htm