Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2307

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

Cassels A.
Consumer drug advertising leads to MD backlash in Holland.
CMAJ 2002 Oct 1; 167:(7):793
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/167/7/793

Abstract:

After growing tired of having patients ask for an oral treatment for their discoloured toenails, 3 Dutch family physicians decided to fight back by using the same medium that brought them the patients. Not only did they send a letter to a Dutch medical journal calling for a boycott of the drug company that was responsible, but they also issued the same call in a televised interview.

The doctors were left fuming by a month-long advertising campaign that they say encouraged Dutch television viewers to use terbinafine (Lamisil), an antifungal treatment for onychomycosis and skin infections. The advertisement did not name the product, which is manufactured by Novartis, but it is the only drug of its type.

Keywords:
Publication Types: News MeSH Terms: Advertising* Drug Industry* Humans Netherlands