Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17913

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

Burton B
Australia turns to drug company representatives to cut prescribing
BMJ 2002 May 25; 324:(7348):1234
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1123208/

Abstract:

In a bid to cut the rising costs of government subsidised drugs-a rise partly caused by inappropriate prescribing-the Australian government has opted to enlist the sales force of pharmaceutical companies.
The decision has astonished consumer groups but been welcomed by its proponent, the Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.
According to last week’s Budget papers, savings will be achieved by ensuring that restrictions on the government’s pharmaceutical benefits scheme, under which the government subsidises the costs of approved drugs, will be communicated to doctors through drug company representatives. …