Medicaid Drug Reps?

[PharmDstudent]

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Are drug reps allowed to meet with Medicaid doctors? That connection seems like a conflict of interest, because overall, generic medications are more cost effective. It seems pretty sick for a drug rep to suggest Xyzal when there are generics for Claritin and Allegra. Now, Zyrtec is available OTC too.
Do we really need to fill brand Medicaid prescriptions when a generic equivalent is already available, i.e. Veramyst (fluticasone)?
(Note: I'm not talking about possible contracts between drug companies and Medicaid. Those usually benefit the tax payers, because Medicaid will pay less for the brand product than they would for its generic.)

 

[Old Timer]

There is no such thing as a Medicaid doctor. There may be doctors with a majority of Medicaid patients. As for expensive brand name drugs, Medicaid, which is administered by the states has formularies. So even if they prescribe Xyzal and Veramyst, they will most likely reject and require a switch to loratadine and Fluticasone or a PA. In my experience, physicians who see Medicaid patients are not going to take the time for a PA unless the drug is clearly medically necessary which is not the case for Zyzal and Veramyst.

I'm sure there are first amendment issues with depriving the Drug companies the right to disseminate the information.

 

[PharmDstudent]

There is no such thing as a Medicaid doctor. There may be doctors with a majority of Medicaid patients. As for expensive brand name drugs, Medicaid, which is administered by the states has formularies. So even if they prescribe Xyzal and Veramyst, they will most likely reject and require a switch to loratadine and Fluticasone or a PA. In my experience, physicians who see Medicaid patients are not going to take the time for a PA unless the drug is clearly medically necessary which is not the case for Zyzal and Veramyst.

I'm sure there are first amendment issues with depriving the Drug companies the right to disseminate the information.

For whatever reason, Xyzal was covered under La Medicaid.

Disseminating information would be fine in my book, but free lunches and other miscellaneous benefits would be inappropriate if the doctor prescribes to Medicaid patients.