GPs influenced by drug companies, say 60% of doctors

MORE than half of doctors believe their fellow GPs are influenced by drug companies when prescribing anti-depressants, a survey has found.

Some 15% of GPs polled said they had enjoyed purely social events such as rugby trips abroad paid for by the pharmaceutical industry.

The figures were revealed in last night's RTÉ Prime Time programme investigation into the prescription of anti-depressants.