Rx companies' gifts to doctors under fire in Syracuse; AARP launches regional efforts to educate public, pass law to disclose Rx gifts

SYRACUSE, N.Y., May 25 /U.S. Newswire/ -- With brand name drug costs soaring and the prescription industry spending billions of dollars on gifts trying to influence doctors to prescribe them, Syracuse AARP members are taking the fight for affordable drugs to the street.

Today at a press conference in Syracuse, AARP members launched community efforts to educate the public, doctors and lawmakers about less expensive alternatives to expensive brand name drugs. On the legislative front, AARP is pushing for a new state law requiring drug companies to disclose how much they spend on gifts to doctors, such as trips, entertainment and meals.

"A good sales pitch and expensive gifts shouldn't influence which drug you are prescribed. AARP's efforts are aimed at bringing the drug industry's practice to light and helping people make the right decisions about the drugs they take," said Bob O'Connor, an AARP member from Fayetteville. "We need a new state law to help the public understand just how much money the industry spends promoting its drugs."

Following the press conference, the AARP members hopped into vans to take their drug affordability message to area doctors by providing information about less expensive, but equally effective alternatives to brand name drugs, namely generic drugs. The group then went on to visit their state legislators to urge them to pass legislation (S.696 & A.5574) shining the light of transparency on the gifts.

"Making sure people know about options to high-priced brand name drugs could mean a world a difference for many New Yorkers, especially those who pay full retail for their drugs," said Peg Switzer, an AARP volunteer from Liverpool. "We are fighting to ensure the drug that ends up in your medicine cabinet is the very best one for you -- getting this legislation passed is a step in that direction."

Drug companies spend over $5 billion a year on gifts to doctors attempting to get them to prescribe newer, and in many cases, more expensive, drugs when generic and less expensive alternatives exist.

The legislation is being heavily opposed by the pharmaceutical industry and, surprisingly, the Medical Society of the State of New York has yet to take a position on the bills.

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AARP has over 2.6 million members in New York State. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50-plus have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP produces AARP the Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, its monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, a bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, its quarterly newsletter for 50-plus educators; and its Web site, http://AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.