I spoke to a specialist today and thanked him for providing a generic, not the widely advertised brand, for me.   I mentioned that Drug companies can track prescription habits and he had personally been confronted by a drug rep about his prescription habits-to which he told them it was none of the business.   (first physician that admitted this scam to me personally).   He said the rewards programs for the physicians that write the 'correct' scripts involve 'a lot of money/benefits kick back.  

Physicians are people when you take off the white coat.   They are as likely to be tempted by money as anyone else.    This has little to do with effectiveness of the drug or the prospects for the patient.    Sales are driven by corporate rates of return and a commitment to investors first.     I've specifically ask for generics over the last 10 years, I encouraged others to do so — even if your Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid have listed the drug as covered.