Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15819

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Markman M.
Pharmaceutical advertising and the cost of medical care
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 1994 Feb; 120:(4):
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m45r75153l76x0r2/

Abstract:

With increasing societal concern for the economic impact of
providing adequate medical care, it should come as no surprise
that the costs of pharmaceutical agents and the pricing
policies of pharmaceutical companies have played prominent
roles in discussions of methods to control healthcare expenditures.
The pharmaceutical companies in the United
States have been quick to point out the tremendous research
development costs associated with new agents, while critics
have focused on the large profits being made by many pharmaceutical
companies. While many of the arguments oversimplify
very complex issues, it is clear any healthcare reform
proposal must seriously consider the costs associated
with existing pharmaceutical agents and how society will
pay for new drugs which, although hopefully more effective
or less toxic than currently available medications, will almost
certainly be more expensive.
An additional element of this current debate with has received
limited attention, is the role played by pharmaceutical
company advertising in medical journal in influencing prescribing
practices and, secondarily, the costs of medical care.
For example, a recent report has raised concerns about the
objectivity of pharmaceutical advertising (Wilkes et al.
1992).