Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4453

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

Wivell MK, O’fallon DA.
Drug overpromotion: when is a warning not a warning?
Trial 1992; 28:(11):20-27

Abstract:

This article argues that overpromotion of a drug may negate any warnings about its risks that companies supply to physicians. The article gives some examples of excessive promotion. As profit-oriented companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers use the marketing strategies they think are most effective. However, the most effective marketing is often little more than thinly veiled physician bribes. These tactics may seem harmless. However, when strategies like these interfere with physicians’ objectivity and harm patients, the drug companies must shoulder their share of the responsibility for the resultant injuries.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/safety & risk information/doctors/quality of prescribing/gift giving/ drug company sponsored research/ drug company sponsored meals and travel/ continuing medical education/ corporate funding/ guidelines, discussion of/ American Medical Association/ AMA/ Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (US)/ regulation of promotion/quality of information/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: GIFT GIVING/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: PAYMENT FOR MEALS, ACCOMODATION, TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT/ETHICAL ISSUES IN PROMOTION: PAYMENTS IN STUDIES/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION DISGUISED: SUPPORT FOR CME/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: INDUSTRY SELF-REGULATION