AARP warns LI seniors of practice that pumps up price of prescriptions

Members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are launching a campaign to warn Long Island seniors of a common practice they say pumps up the price of prescriptions. AARP members say

News 12 Staff

May 25, 2006, 10:34 PM

Updated 6,809 days ago

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Members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) are launching a campaign to warn Long Island seniors of a common practice they say pumps up the price of prescriptions.
AARP members say pharmaceutical companies spend billions each year on gifts like trips, entertainment and meals to get doctors to prescribe their drugs rather than less expensive or generic brands. The seniors are taking their fight to the legislative level, meeting with lawmakers in an effort to pass a law requiring companies to disclose how much they spend on gifts.
An industry group called the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America issued a statement saying its voluntary code allows companies to offer items to health care professionals as long as they are primarily for the benefit of patients and are valued at less than $100.