Interesting discussion.
Let me add another point.
In the past decade or two, the drug reps had breakthrough branded medications like glucophage, simvastatin , lisinopril. They really were game changers and we needed their samples and info. There were no generic alternatives. The medications clearly helped the patients.
But over the last 5 years, there has been little innovation. R&D money has dried up. So most of what we get is me-too drugs or isomers. The pharmaceutical industry went willy-nilly with erectile dysfunction drugs last decade instead of developing new antibiotics (as the ED drugs were more lucrative).
So this may have an impact on our desire to see drug reps. If they really had innovative products I think I would like to see more of them. Sometimes it is easier to learn about new medications from reps (but still back it up with your own research on the internet and with journals and newsletters).
