Doctors That Are “Consultants” with Drug Companies

What is your opinion of hair restoration doctors who sell supplies in their office? And are listed as consultants with various drug companies? And what does “consultant” mean? Basically a salesperson?

Are these doctors someone to avoid?

A consultant could be a variety of things to a pharmaceutical company. Off the top of my head, it could be a label used to give some credence to the product by having an M.D. associated with it. It could be a go-to person for data. Could be that the drug company gives that doctor early access to treatment information. I don’t know for sure, as I’m not a consultant (and it could vary from company to company). I have seen some doctors listed as advisors to various crap hair treatments, and without getting into specifics, I’m sure the doctor would have to be paid well to attach his name and reputation to such a product. I wouldn’t say you should automatically rule out any doctor that consults or advises or whatever word you’d want to use to describe it.

In my office, I don’t sell products or medications that are marked up in price (in other words, I sell Propecia at cost), so you will know that I have no conflict of interest. I can’t speak for the others you are reflecting upon.