Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6828

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

The drug pushers
Health Which? 1998 Oct

Abstract:

Some general practitioners do not have the expertise to assess the claims made for medicines. Drug companies run ads, aimed at prescribers, in the medical trade press. They send sales representatives to visit individual doctors. They also find ways to reach patients since 90% of general practitioners will prescribe the drug which a patient specifically requests. Although direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines is not allowed in the United Kingdom, the release of new medications is accompanied by press releases from drug companies. This information may well then end up as a story in the national press. There is a growing trend for companies to offer extra add-on services for patients. Consumers in the United Kingdom can access ads for prescription medications through the web. Patient groups are increasingly receiving money from drug companies. This is a relationship which needs to be handled with great care.

Keywords:
*analysis/United Kingdom/regulation of promotion/sales representatives/journal advertisements/promotion costs and volume/direct-to-consumer advertising/DTCA/Internet/new drugs/ press conferences and releases/ primary care doctors/ patient groups/ corporate funding/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DETAILING/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: JOURNAL ADVERTISEMENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION DISGUISED: PRESS CONFERENCES AND PRESS COVERAGE/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: INTERNET ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: MISCELLANEOUS/VOLUME OF AND EXPENDITURE ON PROMOTION