Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11661

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

Jones T.
Head to head: Should drug companies be allowed to talk directly to patients? YES
BMJ 2003 Jun 12; 326:(7402):1302
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7402/1302

Abstract:

For truly informed decision making, patients need access to high quality information on treatments. Trevor Jones of the Association for the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and Wendy Garlick of the Consumers’ Association debate whether drug advertising direct to the public would help the quest for such information.

Increasingly, patients have been seeking to learn more about their health and about treatments available. A symptom of the demand for this greater awareness and choice has been the growth of patient organisations. They provide information-often in great detail-to patients and therefore require a full understanding of, and information about, the diseases in which they specialise and the appropriate treatments. But they do not have the same level of information about medicines as a manufacturer.

A talent for selling: Pfizer has employed ex-Brazilian football star Pele to advertise its impotence cures
FERRINI/AP RENATO

Until now, other than through patient information leaflets, legal restrictions have made it difficult for pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide information to patients about the medication they take.