Healthy Skepticism Library item: 515
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
Sukkari SR.
Weighing benefits and risks of drug to treat obesity.
CMAJ 1997 Mar 15; 156:(6):768-9
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/reprint/156/6/768
Keywords:
*letter to the editor
Canada
Servier
Redux
dexfenfluramine
obesity
press conferences and releases
conflict of interest
European Union
PROMOTION DISGUISED: PRESS CONFERENCES AND PRESS COVERAGE
Notes:
A press release from Servier about appetite suppressants left out a number of details: 1) the controversy around the editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine that was favourable to Redux (dexfenfluramine); 2) parts of the manufacturer’s package insert that accompanies in the United States that states that the mortality, morbidity and effectiveness of long term use of Redux has not been studied; 3) the European view that Redux should not be used for longer than 3 months.
