Pimps, Whores, and the European Society of Cardiology Meeting

This week the traveling road show is in Barcelona, where we are attending the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. Immediately upon arrival at the convention center we were greeted by a 30 feet high banner from Novartis Pharmaceuticals that admonished us to “Aim Higher”, in reference to one of their newer high blood pressure medications. It wasn’t clear whether the reference was to aiming at higher drug costs or higher levels of blood pressure control, but we all know that what Novartis really wants is the former, although they might try and convince you that they are interested in the latter.

I noticed that the line for cabs was about 200 cardiologists long, while there were hardly any cabs pulling up. I personally prefer taking public transportation in foreign cities as you get a better idea of the city and it is, well, cheaper and better for the environment. With the metro stop right next door it makes you wonder what lengths those cardiologists will go to to avoid mixing with the rabble.

Anyhoo upon passing the snaking line of cardiologists I was handed a card by a young lady as I entered the convention center. I thanked her and looked at the card as I walked in. Surprisingly it was for the El Cabaret Strippers Club in Barcelona. I immediately twittered the news and received various feedback including laughter and being accused of being a misogynist. As I continued following the signs to the hall where Mrs. Bremner was to lecture on Non-obstructive coronary artery disease in women, or Syndrome X, the signs routed me directly through the cavernous exhibit hall where drug and device manufacturers tout their wares. After freaking out about a 40 foot high model of a person with pulsating veins suspended from the ceiling, I tried to scuttle past the vendors averting their eyes and looking for the ephemeral lecture hall. I couldn’t help but be distracted, though, by the Medtronics booth, who I wrote about a while back in reference to their picking up the tab in the VIP room of the Platinum Club strippers place in Memphis for a bunch of surgeons who were brought in to learn more about Medtronics spinal devices. Inhibiting the urge to ask them if they were picking up the tab for the ESC meeting too, I continued on to the lecture, where we learned that 50% of women who undergo diagnostic catheterization do not have evidence of coronary artery obstruction, versus 20% of men.

As I left the convention center attractive young women were seen walking around holding signs over their heads saying ‘Novartis’ and ‘GSK’, followed by laughing groups of cardiologists.

As I reflected on my experiences I wondered who in fact were the hookers and the patrons. Were the physicians the patrons of prostitutes, or was it the other way around, were the physicians prostituting themselves to device and drug makers?

I tried to get a picture of the El Cabaret but got the following message when I searched for it on the internet.

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Accompanied by a pair of happy Catalonian children surfing the net. I guess they were too prudish in my apartment here to let me look up El Cabaret. I think the cardiologists at ESC should pick up some pointers from them.