Unhinged by Daniel Carlat

Author:Daniel Carlat
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Free Press
Published: 2010-10-06T04:00:00+00:00

After the frowning psychiatrist confronted me during my Effexor lecture, I decided that I would no longer tweak the truth during my talks. At my next lunch and learn, I was more circumspect in my endorsement of Effexor’s efficacy. I pointed out to the doctors that the studies comparing Effexor with SSRIs had been short-term trials, often lasting no more than two months. It was possible that, given more time, SSRIs would catch up, wiping away the small advantage that Effexor appeared to have.

The reps were not smiling.

Several days later, the Wyeth district manager visited my office.

“My reps told me that you weren’t as enthusiastic about our product at your last talk,” he said, looking perplexed. “I told them that even Dr. Carlat can’t hit a home run every time. Have you been sick?”

At that moment, I decided my career as an industry-sponsored speaker was over. The manager’s message couldn’t be clearer: I was being paid to enthusiastically endorse their drug. Once I stopped doing that, I was of little value to them, no matter how much “medical education” I provided.

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