Psychiatric Bulletin (2007) 31: 274. doi: 10.1192/pb.31.7.274a
© 2007 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Payment for medication
David Ogden
Locum Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Forest of Dean, email:
david.ogden{at}glos.nhs.uk
Ethical deliberations aside, bribing patients with cash to accept depot
medication clearly (and perhaps fatally) contradicts the message that the
medication is a worthwhile and positive offering in itself. Moreover, it
cheapens and demeans the receiver who becomes one whose beliefs can be bought
out for a few quid; and the giver, who becomes one who needs sugaring to be
acceptable. Contradictory messages regarding the value of psychiatry are the
last thing people with schizophrenia need from us, never mind our staff and
the public.