AUGUSTA, MAINE – A Maine-based non-profit is questioning whether the pharmaceutical industry is really helping the nation.

In the November issue of the Maine Center for Economic Policy’s Choices publication, the MECEP offers an option in “A New Kind of House Call Delivers Science not Sales,” by Jennifer Reck of Prescription Policy Choices, a Hallowell, Me.-based nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs.

According to the article, with 90,000 pharmaceutical sales representatives and national ad campaigns, the pharmaceutical industry makes as much as $10 for every dollar invested in marketing efforts. Reck, however, questions whetherthe industry improves Americans' health or drives up healthcare costs.

Instead, the article advocates a new system where trained, impartial clinicians meet with physicians and other prescribers to provide independent, scientific information based on in-depth reviews of available data on the efficacy of various prescription drugs.

"Impartial prescriber education is one way to bend the cost curve that everyone in healthcare reform is talking about these days," said Garrett Martin, MECEP's health policy analyst. "It's one of many policy and program options that are critical if we are going to achieve health reform that is cost-effective and results in better outcomes."

In 2007, Maine and Vermont both passed legislation authorizing the states to create a prescriber education service.

"There's momentum across New England and the rest of the country to get these programs up and running," said Reck. "Including federal legislation to provide resources to get this information produced and disseminated."

Prescription drug sales reached $286.5 billion in the United States in 2007, up from $40.3 billion in 1990. During that time, the pharmaceutical industry rmoved from a research and development-focused venture to a marketing-focused venture.

According to the article, commercial incentives to promote over-use or inappropriate use of the most expensive medicines are strong and the industry's influence is pervasive.

"It's not always the best medicine," said Reck. "Consumers are bombarded with advertising. Clinics are feted with free samples. One pilot program showed that we could save as much as two dollars for every one dollar invested in prescriber education programs."