Postcodes don\'t indicate individuals\' social class

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Reasons for not seeing drug representatives They should be seen because they are a good resource Editor—The role of drug company representatives is changing, but Griffith’s advice not to see them would deprive general practitioners of a good resource, which would be costly to replace.1 They offer many useful services that may not be easily accessible from other sources in the wider NHS, including up to date information on products and the provision of papers relating to a particular product or disease. As primary care groups develop, this contact with individual doctors is likely to diminish, but the representatives’ role in helping with the development of a formulary in each primary care group could be vital. Their ability to supply up to date information about particular products is also of great benefit to hospital pharmacists in NHS hospital trusts, who are often responsible for maintaining the hospital formulary under the guidance of the drug and therapeutics committee. Pharmaceutical representatives are frequently a vital financial resource in the provision of sponsorship for meetings as part of continuing professional development.

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