Fishtown Medicine protects clinical independence by refusing pharmaceutical kickbacks, device industry payments, supplement sales, and referral commissions. Our Direct Primary Care model removes insurance pressure, so recommendations follow your data, not a company's incentives.
At Fishtown Medicine, we believe the foundation of exceptional primary care is a relationship built on trust. In a modern healthcare landscape that is often cluttered by commercial interests, we have built a practice model that prioritizes clinical integrity and transparency.
This page lays out exactly how we address potential conflicts of interest and keep your care fully independent. Independence here means that the recommendations you receive are based on your data and current evidence, not on what a vendor pays us to suggest.
1. Clinical Independence
One of the most important ways I protect the integrity of my advice is by removing the financial incentive to recommend products.
- No Product Sales: Fishtown Medicine does not sell supplements or push specific health products.
- No Pharma or Device Kickbacks: I do not accept speaker fees from pharmaceutical companies, kickbacks from medical device makers, or any other commercial incentive that could bias clinical judgment.
- No Referral Commissions: I do not accept or pay referral fees to specialists. My referrals are based only on where I believe you will receive the best care.
- Neutral Recommendations: If a supplement is indicated by your data, I provide unbiased recommendations based on purity and clinical evidence, not affiliate links or brand partnerships. My only incentive is your health outcome.
2. The "Evidence-First" Filter
Instead of chasing the latest health trends, we use a careful, data-driven filter for every intervention.
- Deep Record Review (Finding the Overlooked): Our clinic is known for deep-dive chart reviews (sometimes hundreds of pages) to connect dots and identify patterns that have been missed.
- Cutting the Noise: During your 30 to 90-minute consults, we review your current supplement and medication list, often cleaning up regimens to focus only on what is strictly necessary and supported by your specific labs and genetic data.
3. Transparent Pricing, No Surprises
To avoid the conflicts that come with traditional insurance-based volume models, Fishtown Medicine operates on a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.
- Flat-Fee Model: By moving away from insurance-billed visits, we remove the pressure to see a patient for 7 to 15 minutes in the office. This means we can spend the time it actually takes to listen to your full health story.
- Honest Options: We present treatment options with total honesty: what works, what does not, and where the science is still uncertain.
4. Scientific Objectivity
We are committed to continuous learning, with weekly research reviews from top medical journals. By staying grounded in the latest science instead of industry marketing, we make sure your care plan evolves as new data emerges, placing your long-term healthspan ahead of any static medical dogma.
Scientific References
- Wazana A. "Physicians and the pharmaceutical industry: is a gift ever just a gift?" JAMA. 2000.
- Lo B, Field MJ, eds. "Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice." Institute of Medicine. 2009.
- Eskew PM, Klink K. "Direct Primary Care: Practice Distribution and Cost Across the Nation." Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Ready when you are
Dr. Ash reads every intake himself, and answers questions personally - usually within a few hours.
