Editor - Drug companies have to make money; they won't give away something for nothing. Ovid wrote the Latin, “gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo”—subtlety will do. A little bit here, a little bit there, and wouldn't you know it: subconsciously you remember.

We should ban all pharmaceutical representatives from all medical schools. Radical? You bet. Is there another solution? I can't think of one. If the pharma companies want to support—really support—my students, then let them send money to the dean's office. Then the dean can buy pizza for you, without advertising the newest drug against shyness.

Claus Pierach, professor of medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School piera003@umn.edu

studentBMJ 2005;13:1-44 January ISSN 0966-6494

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