Drug Reps Pay to See Doctors

SEATTLE - Tired of managing the pharmaceutical representatives bombarding their waiting rooms, physicians in Seattle have decided to start charging reps for their visits.

According to officials at the Polyclinic, a physician-owned clinic, sales reps will now pay $30 per visit to enter the building. There is no guarantee of seeing a doctor and officials say the reps will be banned by the end of the year.

Charging representatives is becoming a national trend with some physicians in Kentucky asking for $105 per visit. The pharmaceutical industry, on the other hand, says their representatives are trying to aid in the care of patients by providing physicians with the latest information.

Officials at the Polyclinic will instead rely on a committee to decide which drugs to purchase.

Information from www.azcentral.com