But recently, some states have been taking steps to limit the sort of largesse that drug companies can pass to physicians. In Minnesota, for instance, the state ruled that pharmaceutical salespeople could not give more than $50 in free food to doctors per year. One pharmaceutical sales rep I know in here in Florida sat down and cried buckets when she saw laws changing. “There goes my career!” she cried. “Without freebies, I won’t be able to get my foot in the door at most medical offices.”

Her fears, it must be admitted, were justified. A study has shown that doctors in Minnesota are rejecting pharmaceutical sales visits more than anywhere in the country.

I didn't have to be psychic to  see that pharmaceutical companies would ferret out new ways of making sure their pill is the drug of choice when a doctor sits down to write a prescription. And today, I got my first glimpse of one of those new ways. I just saw a television ad for the Orencia Promise Program from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Orencia is a new drug for people suffering from moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In a nutshell, the Orencia Promise Program is a co-pay program for new Orencia patients with private insurance. The program will pay the full co-pay for Orencia for the first 6 months of therapy. In addition, if you're not satisfied after 6 months, the program will pay your first co-pay of another RA medicine, up to $500 (Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. If you're interested in the Orencia Promise Program click their name to visit their web site.)

On the one hand, I’m pleased to see pharmaceutical companies throwing their money at patients for a change. While they’re at it, how about inviting us to some of those fine restaurants and weekend trips to Disney World for “educational seminars”? I could use a new laptop, too!

On the other hand,  I’m worried that bribing —err, “rewarding” patients could turn out to be an even bigger threat than the old method of rewarding doctors. With the world economy swirling down the toilet,  how many RA patients will be tempted to change therapies just to get their prescriptions—any  prescriptions—free for 6 months?

Doctors are influenced by their patient’s requests.  “Naturally I want patients to be involved in their own health care,” one doctor told me. “If they express interest in a drug with potential benefit and I see no contra-indications, I’m inclined to let them have a trial of it.”

But this tactic of throwing money at people to get your drugs in play is the same old double-edged sword. It’s only that this time, the sword is being passed to the patient. As a pain patient, what’s your take on this issue? Use the comment box below to state your opinion. Meanwhile, I'll be on the phone to Bristol-Myers Squibb to see if that link I provided to their website  is worth a new laptop to them.

### Bonnie Boots recovered from totally disabling chronic pain, but still has occasional days when she feels like hell. That's why she publishes Pain Health News, providing information, motivation and conversation to people challenged by chronic pain.

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