Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19837

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: Magazine

Anastasopoulos C
MS drug promotion attracts record fine
Australian Doctor 2006 Sep 15
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/ms-drug-promotion-attracts-record-fine

Abstract:

A PHARMACEUTICAL company has been hit with a record fine after directly targeting multiple sclerosis patients with unbalanced information on the alleged benefits of one of its drugs.Schering was brought before Medicines Australias code of conduct committee after a rival company claimed Schering had promoted Betaferon (interferon beta-1b) to patients at an MS Society event through promotional material it claimed was patient education.Schering lost an appeal against a $150,000 fine imposed by the committee, which found the company was in breach of a ban on promoting prescription drugs to patients.A DVD and brochure distributed at the MS Society event could have caused patients unnecessary alarm or misunderstanding” because the indication being promoted was not approved in Australia and was not…