Is it permissible for a doctor to accept gifts or lunch invitations from representatives of pharmaceutical companies that aim to promote their products without regard for price or quality?

If you are a self-employed doctor, you are permitted to attend invitations from pharmaceutical companies, provided that this does not affect the quality of medications prescribed to patients, and that you prescribe the best medication, considering its price, or leaving the patient free to choose. However, if you are not self-employed, you may attend simply for informational purposes, but it is not permissible to show favoritism to one company over another because of these invitations or gifts. And if you have influence over the hospital where you work regarding the purchase of a specific type of medication, then it is better to avoid these invitations.