When you go to a doctor, have you ever had a question about the medicine he prescribes? “Why did he give you this brand of medicine? Isn’t there a cheaper one?” Or “This seems like a new medicine, do I really need this?” Things like that come to mind, right? These are actually reasonable questions. As a patient, it is very important to be informed about the treatment you are receiving. Today we are talking about this relationship between doctors, pharmaceutical companies , and you, the patient, who are in between.
What is this 'Conflict of Interest'?
Simply put, doctors need good, tested medicines to treat their patients. Pharmaceutical companies also need a way to market their medicines. There is usually a good relationship between the two, in which both parties' needs are met. This is a good thing, because this relationship is essential for finding and researching new medicines .
But sometimes a small problem can arise. That is the situation called 'Conflict of Interest' . Imagine, the primary goal of a pharmaceutical company is to sell as much of its medicine as possible and make a profit. The primary goal of a doctor is to give you the most suitable and best treatment. Often these two goals go together.
However, in some cases, the influence of a pharmaceutical company (perhaps an incentive to prescribe an expensive drug from that company) can have an impact on the doctor's decision. It's like a judge hearing a case involving one of their own relatives. It can be difficult to make a completely impartial decision in that case, right? That's the kind of situation this is. Here, your need to pay for the medicine and use it may be overshadowed.
The important thing is, this does not mean that all doctors are like this. The majority of doctors in Sri Lanka work with the utmost honesty and concern for the patient's well-being. But as a patient, being aware is about protecting yourself.
What can you do as a patient?
It's important to be an active participant in your health care decisions. These tips will help you build a good partnership with your doctor.
1. Do some research about your illness.
Before you go to the doctor, read up on your symptoms and condition from reliable sources (not just every post shared on Facebook, but trusted health websites). This will help you ask good questions when you talk to the doctor.
- “Doctor, I saw that there are non-pharmaceutical remedies for this condition. For example, lifestyle changes . Can you explain a little about that as well?”
- "Can I know about other medications used for this?"
By asking questions like these, the doctor understands that you are interested in your health.
2. Be sure to ask about 'Brand' and 'Generic'
When your doctor prescribes a medication, ask if it's a `brand-name` or if there's a `generic` version. Check out this chart to understand the difference between the two.
| Fact | Brand-Name Drugs | Generic Drugs |
|---|---|---|
| Name | There is a special name given by the company (e.g. Panadol). | The name of the active chemical substance in the medicine is used (e.g. Paracetamol). |
| Price | Usually expensive. Research and marketing costs are added to this. | It's very cheap because there's no need to do new research. |
| Functionality | There is a certain functionality and quality. | It contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug, in the same amount. It is guaranteed to be of the same quality and effectiveness. |
Sometimes, there may be a specific medical reason why your doctor will prescribe a brand-name drug over a generic one. However, you have every right to ask. Don't be afraid to ask , "Doctor, is there a cheaper generic version of this drug? Is that okay?"
3. Be careful with drug samples
Sometimes doctors give us a free sample of a medicine . They say, "Try this for a little while." This is convenient because it allows us to start taking a medicine without any cost. But we need to understand the other side of this as well.
These samples are often of expensive, new `brand-name` drugs. This is a major marketing tactic used by drug companies. Once you've used up that free sample, you have to pay for the expensive drug at the pharmacy.
So, if you receive a sample, ask:
“Doctor, thank you very much for this. After this sample is finished, should I continue taking this medicine? Is there an alternative that is just as effective, but less expensive?”
4. Ask if there is a connection between the doctor and the pharmaceutical company.
This is a sensitive issue. But if you have serious doubts about a drug, especially if it's a new, expensive drug, you can respectfully ask about it. There can be various relationships between doctors and drug companies. For example:
- Conducting clinical trials for a company.
- Receiving financial support for research from the company.
- Working as a salaried consultant for the company.
There is nothing wrong with having this kind of relationship. It does not mean that the doctor is wrong. However, as a patient, you have the right to be informed about it. You can ask a question like , “Doctor, I have not heard much about this drug. Can I ask if the doctor has any research-level relationship with the company that manufactures it?” in a very friendly way.
Take-Home Message
- Be informed: Learn about your condition and the various treatments available from reliable sources.
- Ask questions: Never be afraid to ask your doctor about the medication he is prescribing, its price, 'generic' alternatives, or side effects .
- Be a partner: Be a partner with your doctor when making decisions about your health. Talk openly about your thoughts and concerns.
- Communication is key: Building good communication between you and your doctor is the key to achieving the best results. The purpose of this article is not to create distrust, but to guide you towards better communication.
- Final decision: Remember, the final decision on which medication to use should always be discussed with your doctor.
Medicine, drugs, doctor, physician, conflict of interest, generic drugs, brand-name drugs, patient rights , health communication , medicine prices
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