Healthy Skepticism Library item: 20202

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

Jenkins R
Weight-loss drug wins ad battle
Australian Doctor 2006 Aug 2511
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/latest-news/weight-loss-drug-wins-ad-battle

Full text:

CONSUMER advertising campaigns for weight-loss drug orlistat (Xenical) will now use the drug name for the first time.
The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee has ratified its recent recommendation to allow Roche to name orlistat (Xenical) in consumer advertising from 1 September.
Since 2004 the firm has marketed the over-the-counter drug under the slogan
‘Boost Your Diet – Ask Your Pharmacist’.
Roche’s new branded advertising campaign will include television commercials that name the product.
As previously reported in Australian Doctor, the AMA had expressed concern the move would encourage vulnerable people, including those with eating disorders, to request the drug, which prevents the absorption of dietary fat.
GP and AMA therapeutics committee chairman Dr John Gullotta remained concerned about direct-to-consumer marketing of the drug.
It’s got…