Healthy Skepticism Library item: 13795

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Publication type: Journal Article

Nishikawa T.
[Profile of Shohei Ninomiya (pharmacist), the first Japanese medical representative to practice modern European-style propaganda in the late Meiji era].
Yakushigaku Zasshi. 2007; 42:(2):131-6
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18548887

Abstract:

A Swiss pharmaceutical company (F-Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.), first introduced the profession of “propagandist” in Japan in 1912. At the time, Shohei Ninomiya was a chief hospital pharmacist, but he changed his vocation to become the first “propah” (Japanese abbreviation for propagandist). The German physician Dr. Rudolf Ebering initiated Dr. Ninomiya in the methods and principles of “propah,” and he faithfully practiced them. The defining principle of a modern European propagandist is one who is far from sales-centered. From the late 1970s through 1980s, however, Japanese pharmaceutical companies indulged in pursuing sales and neglected this principle, resulting in numerous abuses and adverse effects. Today, use of the description “medical representative” (MR) is more common than “propah.” Even with this different description, pharmaceutical companies and MRs should never neglect the founding principle to avoid repeating such abuses.