Do peds turn a profit on vaxes?

[transformed]

Do the pediatricians make money selling vaccines? (Like on the actual shot, not on the visit fee.)

Where can I find verifiable info on this?

Jenny

[13Sandals]

I don't think there is much profit on the actual vaccine sale.. the storage requirements are difficult and it must be impossible to order only what is needed. But there's no doubt that all of the appointments required in order to keep up with the vaccine schedule help out the practice. There's no need to bring a healthy baby into the doctor's office 5 times+/year.

[prettypixels]

Here's an article about it... (must register with NYTimes, argh I hate that!)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/24/bu...gewanted=print

The soaring cost and rising number of new vaccines, doctors say, make it increasingly difficult for them to buy the shots they give their patients. They also complain that insurers often do not reimburse them enough, so they can lose money on every dose they deliver.

[alegna]

I agree that the actual vaccines are probably not a money maker. However, I have NO doubt that the current WBV schedule IS a *huge* money maker. There is no need for a healthy baby to see a dr. that often. It's totally absurd. And it has to make TONS of $$ for peds.

-Angela

[Deborah]

So, from a doctor's point of view, the same schedule of visits but fewer vaxes would be more profitable.

This offers an opportunity. Every time one of you is talking to your pediatrician about vaxing, ask: "Are you really convinced that every single vax that is mandated makes sense?" Have you personally studied the epidemiology of each disease to be sure that the vax is going to make a significant difference?" "Have you seen research that the particular combination of vaxes that you are recommending I give my baby today is actually safe when given together?"

We can't possibly change their minds but we might be able to stir their financial interest. If vaxes are actually hurting their cash flow...

[transformed]

they were trained in med school by drug companys...they are constantly "wine'd and dined" by pharma, and they are nothing but storefronts for drugs.

I dont feel like its something I can convince my *very sucessful* pediatrician. If he did less "pills and shots" He wouldn't be in the position he is in.

He's a storefront for big pharma. You should see his office! LOL.

[Couz]

In Canada, vaxes are a loss for docs.

And apparently drastically different in Canada is the degree to which 'big pharma' is allowed to be involved in medical education. I went to a very traditional medical school in Canada and my first contact with a drug rep wasn't until a community-based rotation as a resident (I believe it was my second year of post-grad training) as they are pretty much banned from academic centres.

[transformed]

How can they "loose money" in Canada? I thought there was universal healthcare? Enlighten me. :.

[transformed]

http://www.pfizer.com/products/hcp/healthcare.jsp

In order to support the continuing education needs of health care professionals, Pfizer offers independent education grants to accredited organizations. Grants are provided in support of CME/CE activities and educational interventions that improve the knowledge, competence, and performance of health care professionals.

OOhhh, look: Merck even has TEXTS that help you to properly diagnose the illnesses they have invented medicine for:

https://www.merckvaccines.com/hcl_mpub_frmst.html

[tammyswanson]

Originally Posted by transformed

http://www.pfizer.com/products/hcp/healthcare.jsp



OOhhh, look: Merck even has TEXTS that help you to properly diagnose the illnesses they have invented medicine for:

https://www.merckvaccines.com/hcl_mpub_frmst.html

:

[holly6737]

You don't have to take your kids in to WBV to get vaccines. Most parents CHOOSE to do that and I don't think it's respectful to insult them for their choice of a practitioner. All health departments vaccinate children for free under the age of 2, regardless of income. No WBV involved, only shots. For free.

Oh and in NC you get a free T-shirt when you've completed the infant series. (I knew you all would love that...)

[delphiniumpansy]

Why do peds make less money than most other medical specialties? Why is my home town running low no peds? Because there is not a lot of money in it and docs keep moving to other specialties! We see a family doc who has 3 kids, a sah wife, and tons of student loans. He is not exactly rolling in the bucks. :

But, I do agree that pharm reps visit too often. There was one there when we were there last, dropping off samples. No docs would meet with her though. I was glad of that.

It has already been discussed here, I have read in the past, that docs do not see pharm reps while in medical school and they learn only the generic names for medicines while they are training. Their text books only have generic names. So that argument does not hold up.

[delphiniumpansy]

Originally Posted by holly6737

Oh and in NC you get a free T-shirt when you've completed the infant series. (I knew you all would love that...)

That is hilarious. What does it say?

I would do WBV even if I did not vax because I like getting my baby checked out. Dd #1 had some issues that only her ped recognized. I was so ignorant I did not know what was going on. And I read a lot of child development books! Her issues were unusual! Plus, I like developing a relationship with the doc in case the child is sick. I would rather not see a stranger when I or my children are sick.

[CCChanel]

Originally Posted by yellowpansy

Why do peds make less money than most other medical specialties?

Because they wanna be doctors but don't want to put on the rubber gloves to examine "gross" grown ups! LOL! So they have to find ways to drum up business and drag in the cute little ones...

Just kidding!! :

Anyway... they make their bucks by vaxing babies... most kids these days are too well to be brought to the ped for anything else.

[holly6737]

There's a cute bear on it and it says "Get immunized before 2!!". It comes in four colors. We got blue. Cause I mean, free shirt, right?

There are alot of immigrants where I'm from in NC and there's a big push to get them vaxed so there won't be any outbreaks. I'm guessing the assumption is that those with shirts will wear them around and advertise for the health department, so those people can go get their kids free shots too. But we just wear ours to sleep in. I hate shirts with words on them.

[delphiniumpansy]

Originally Posted by CCChanel

Anyway... they make their bucks by vaxing babies... most kids these days are too well to be brought to the ped for anything else.

Did you read the article PP linked to above? Most docs lose money on vaxes. Some don't even do them, they are such a boondoggle.

[holly6737]

Originally Posted by CCChanel

most kids these days are too well to be brought to the ped for anything else.

REALLY?! Please elaborate!!!

[transformed]

Originally Posted by holly6737

There are alot of immigrants where I'm from in NC and there's a big push to get them vaxed so there won't be any outbreaks. .

Because immigrants are disease ridden. (not rolling at you, rolling at whomever is "pushing")

Ok, this is going to be a strech for some, and pretty reasonable for others...sounds a little conspiricy but it makes sense to me:

The docs dont actually loose money in the long run because after they vax the kids, the kids come down with all kinds of fun and chronic diseases, due to having a weakened immune system. Like Asthma. How much money does each asthmatic make the doc!? ALOT A FRIGGIN LOT.

Jenny

[CCChanel]

Originally Posted by yellowpansy

Did you read the article PP linked to above? Most docs lose money on vaxes. Some don't even do them, they are such a boondoggle.

Um. No, they don't. WBV are peds "bread and butter". Without WBV they would have WAAAAAY less "customers".

[delphiniumpansy]

Originally Posted by transformed

Because immigrants are disease ridden.

Ok, this is going to be a strech for some, and pretty reasonable for others...sounds a little conspiricy but it makes sense to me:

The docs dont actually loose money in the long run because after they vax the kids, the kids come down with all kinds of fun and chronic diseases, due to having a weakened immune system. Like Asthma. How much money does each asthmatic make the doc!? ALOT A FRIGGIN LOT.

Jenny

oh lord, are we back to the conspiracy theories again? Yes, docs are vaxing humans so that they will have a whole tribe of weak and sick individuals in their practice. You have got to be kidding me. That is just ridiculous.