A Matter of Influence

Abstract

Some of us remember, dimly, a type of ethical decision that arose during our training days many years ago. Was it acceptable to receive a none-too-sturdy medical bag as a gift from Pharmaceutical Manufacturer A? Should one have arty qualms about going to a reception and dinner at Anthony's Pier 4, courtesy of Manufacturer B? There was no untoward pressure from the friendly drug representatives who extended these offers, and certainly no fear that such small bounty would corrupt our clinical judgment in selecting the best pill in any given situation. But for at least some of us, several questions . . .