Triwest Research Associates

TriWest Research takes «pettiness» to a whole new level… I am going to look to sue them, (and their principal, Pfizer) for fraud/misrepresentation…emotional distress and punitive damages… this is a company that is excellent at «dirty pool.» I am a senior citizen… and I have been struggling with back pain. I saw an ad from TriWest research group… where they will pay you for time & travel… regarding a study for back pain… so I called them and was eventually interviewed by «Christina» over the telephone… now, I’m all for advancing science… but since I am on a limited income, any extra money would work out great for me… she emailed me a document some 30 pages long… and asked me to read and carefully review each page… which I did… she then requested that I come down to their facility in El Cajon… that I would be screened… and she «expressly» indicated that I would be paid $ 50…loaded on a debit card… no conditions at all… she knew that I lived in Chula Vista. and that I would be taking public transportation… she also requested that I «fast» since they would be taking my blood… okay, no problem, (even though I am a diabetic and I need food). I read the lengthy document as requested… and went to TriWest for my appointment… it took me one bus and two trolleys and the lot of walking… to get there… almost 2 hours one way… I filled out forms, answered question after question… then Christina went over each page of the 30 page document.I.took a survey on the computer… had my blood pressure measured sitting down standing up laying down… then I was interviewed by quite an unfriendly Russian Doctor… probably more like «interrogated» would be a better word… all in all I was there almost 3 hours… they told me that they were concerned, that I was not taking any kind of Opiates. Vicodin etc.which meant that I didn’t have severe back pain… I told them that I don’t like those kinds of drugs… but I was there and I was ready, willing and able to do whatever they wanted me to do… and I was expecting to have my blood drawn… after they said they were finished with me… I asked about the $ 50…and they told me they wouldn’t give me the $ 50…and they gave me a check for $ 20…man, how low can you go??? then, Christina asked me if I wanted to be in another study for knee pain… by that point I was quite angry… I took the check. started on my two hour trip back home to Chula Vista… as I said, this is «dirty pool» to a whole new level… in their dossier, they talk about how they treat each patient with «compassion and respect»…what total, flat out lie… fraud and misrepresentation that is!!! Now… I have to spend all of this extra time… just because they are so petty and because they cheated me out of $ 30…terrible, lying company!!! (by Eddie L.)

Have to downgrade Triwest, although I still think Dr. Levy is a pretty good physician.
However, their clinical research dept. is hit or miss. I did one study that went well, but then when I tried to get on another one that I was otherwise qualified for, I was 1 or 2 points past the BMI index cut-​off and did not get on. This was for a knee shot study that most people do not care to do. Those knee shots really hurt.
Then when I asked why I did not qualify, the lady told me they found marijuana in my blood! I don’t think so but she was grasping at straws to get me out of there. If they knew there is BMI index in a study then they need to ask people on the phone about their weight and height before making them drive all the way out there to God forsaken El Cajon, only to be told you’re too fat for the study. I was pretty pissed off but managed to get some money out of them for my gas, time and trouble.
Another place to add to my list of no-go’s. When research patients are treated with respect and shown by fair treatment, that they are valued, then everyone is happy. Not cool to play games, keep the research participants waiting and/​or jacking them around. 2 Unilocal STARS for Triwest.