Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4428

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: news

Squires BP.
Prescription drug advertising
1992 Feb 2-4

Abstract:

Medical journals need the revenue from advertisements to survive, but drug companies also need the medical journals for two reasons: first because of their distribution and second for the journal’s integrity so that they can say “Yes, we are putting our advertisements in a highly respected journal.” Editors need to maintain an arm’s length relationship with advertisers so as not to bias their decisions. One problem with advertisements in journals is that citations in ads are not always readily available. Costs are rarely mentioned in ads. While the Canadian Medical Association Journal avoids advertorials, it is willing to publish the reports of drug-company sponsored consensus conferences so long as it can be assured that the academic organizers of the conference or statements have full control of the content. Sometimes the CMAJ gets articles from authors who could not have written the article in question. There is a need for a better relationship and understanding between drug makers and peer-reviewed journals so that the companies realize that their ads depend on the credibility of the journal.

Keywords:
*analysis/Canada/editorial freedom/ad revenue/journal advertisements/Canadian Medical Association Journal/ advertorials/ ghost writing/ references/ consumer drug prices/ drug company sponsored guidelines/ATTITUDES REGARDING PROMOTION: MEDICAL JOURNALS/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: JOURNAL ADVERTISEMENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PUBLICATION/PROMOTION DISGUISED: PHYSICIAN EDUCATION MATERIAL AND GUIDELINES/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: ADVERTORIALS