Despite the controversies and the measures taken in the last period to limit them, American doctors still seem to have a positive attitude towards free gifts and, in general, marketing relations with the pharmaceutical industries and device manufacturers.
This is highlighted by a report published in 'Archives of Surgery' by experts from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. This ranges from the distribution of free product samples, to free meals, to reimbursements for participation in training meetings and 'tokens' to doctors who act as consultants or speakers for the various drug companies.
US scholars involved a total of 590 doctors and medical students, noting a generally positive attitude towards the pharmaceutical industry and the free gifts that come from it: 72% of those interviewed define the sponsored 'free' meals as "appropriate", while 74,6% judge the more demanding gifts "unacceptable". Surgeons and postgraduates are the categories that seem to welcome the industry's 'present' the most, while paediatricians appear to be the most reluctant in the face of free dinners, lunches or stays to attend congresses and conventions.
Barbara Di Chiara – PharmaKronos 22 June 2010 
