Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4064

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

Harvey K.
Pharmaceutical promotion.
Med J Aust 1990 Jan 15; 152:(2):57-8

Abstract:

Promotional material in Australia used to be examined by the Department of Community Services and Health for a two year period after marketing approval had been granted. As a consequence of the adoption of a code of marketing by the Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, the Department offered the APMA a two year trial of self-regulation. The Department did nothing to evaluate prospectively the impact of its withdrawal from the regulatory process and did not identify performance indicators by which it intended to judge the outcome of this self-regulatory trial. The APMA code has major weaknesses but improvements have been made in the complaints process. Sanctions for breaching the code do not appear to have deterred companies from repeated violations. Rather than comply with sanctions Smith Kline & French resigned its membership in the Association although the resignation was later withdrawn. Failure of the industry to be able to self-regulate argues in favour of coregulation with the government providing legislative back-up when self-regulation fails.

Keywords:
*editorial/Australia/Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association/regulation of promotion/Smith Kline & French/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: COMPLIANCE, SANCTIONS, STANDARDS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: INDUSTRY SELF-REGULATION Advertising/standards* Australia Drug Industry/standards* Organizations