Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6040

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

Kessler DA, Rose JL, Temple RJ, Schapiro R, Griffin JP.
Therapeutic-class wars--drug promotion in a competitive marketplace.
N Engl J Med 1994 Nov 17; 331:(20):1350-3

Abstract:

The preponderence of “me too” drugs means that pharmaceutical companies are waging aggressive campaigns to change prescribers’ habits. In order to do this companies are using three tactics: seeding trials, false and misleading claims and “switch campaigns” which are attempts to switch patients from originally prescribed medications to “me too” drugs marketed by the companies. The FDA’s role in regulating these tactics is discussed.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/FDA/Food and Drug Administration/drug company sponsored research/quality of information/switch campaigns/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: GENERAL QUALITY OF INFORMATION/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION DISGUISED: CLINICAL TRIALS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION