drug companies

Hmm, I think this is definitely the case in the U.S., but here in the UK, it is governed by the 'The UK prescription medicines code of practice authority' -  I think the odd desk diary or calendar, pen or jotter pad is given out, but we don't actually have doctors receiving cash kickbacks here.

I do know years ago, one doctor's practice who used to be given 'samples' by the drug company reps, then prescribe the drugs so they could use the samples which they got for free and get paid for them when they submitted the prescription forms.  This has been stamped out I think, by the separation of the  prescribing of the treatment to the selling/dispensing of the treatment. I don't think doctor surgeries dispense these days.  Some have a pharmacy attached but they seem to be separately owned or managed.