Transparency

Recently, I'd watched a TED MED talk by Dr. Lena Wen. I loved what she had to say, and the idea of physician transparency really resonated with me. The story of her mother's cancer treatment, and her opinions regarding the oncologist that treated her mother seemed understandable. However, her presentation left me with a lot of questions, and I think that is one of the problems with using opinions rather than facts to move an audience. No doubt, that there are physicians that are short sighted in their treatment, and some may even, as she mentioned, use a drug solely because he/she is getting some incentive to use it; but I think applying that opinion generally to the medical community is unfair, at best. Clearly, there are just some doctors and nurses who should not be practicing medicine, and that is the real message, in my opinion. The idea of forcing doctors to disclose every last detail of how they are paid seems punitive, and jealous. As well, if that is what consumers want, then all American entities, including the Federal Government should be forced to disclose every gift, benefit, and incentive received; and their intended purpose.
As well, the laws governing doctors and medicines in the US are HURTING patients, and not helping them. The truth is, BIGPHARMA doesn't care if you are getting the medicine that you need, but chances are your doctor does. The previous practice of big drug companies wooing doctors with lunches, conference trips, or other "perks," meant that, in many cases, patients benefitted by getting their very expensive medicines either at a discounted rate or even for free. Americans pay 50% more for medicine than the international community by design. Big drug companies leverage their research on the backs of the American people, while patients in other countries have access to the latest drugs for almost nothing. Now with the new formularies, and federal restrictions, Americans are prevented from access to the medicines that their 50% mark-up makes possible. In essence, we pay for the research, but we don't have access to the benefits. Transparency means that all entities show their cards...not that regulatory agencies and the federal government get to scapegoat medical practitioners, while they reap benefits and line their pockets.