Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13200

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

Tanne JH.
Pfizer ends advertisements featuring inventor of artificial heart
BMJ 2008 Mar 8; 336:(7643):525
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7643/525

Abstract:

Pfizer has cancelled print and television advertisements in which Robert Jarvik, inventor of an artificial heart, promotes the use of atorvastatin (Lipitor), the company’s cholesterol lowering drug.

In one of the Pfizer advertisements, Dr Jarvik says, “Lipitor is one of the most researched medicines. I’m glad I take Lipitor, as a doctor, and a dad.”

In the advertisements Dr Jarvik says that he took the drug when diet and exercise were not enough to control his cholesterol concentration. He is shown, trim and athletic, rowing a scull across a pristine mountain lake.

In January the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee began investigating the advertisements as part of a larger inquiry into the use of celebrities to promote prescription drugs (Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com, 25 Feb, “Pfizer removing Jarvik from ads for Lipitor”).

Last month major newspapers reported that although Dr Jarvik had a medical degree from . . .