Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2308
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
Sheldon T.
Dutch GPs call for ban on Novartis products.
BMJ 2002 Aug 17; 325:(7360):355
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/325/7360/355
Abstract:
Three Dutch GPs are calling on doctors not to prescribe Novartis products in protest at the Swiss based pharmaceutical company’s “information campaign” urging people with onychomycosis, or ringworm of the nails, to visit their GP.
In a row reflecting concerns across Europe, Dutch doctors and the government’s advertising code commission had criticised the Novartis campaign, claiming that it promotes the company’s prescription only product terbinafine (Lamisil). The Dutch Society of General Practitioners shares the concern that such information campaigns are an unnecessary burden, threatening the efficiency of prescribing and focusing attention on unimportant health problems. Spending on terbinafine for 2001 is estimated at 31.5m (£20.1m; $30.5m), triple the figure for 1997.
Keywords:
Publication Types:
News
MeSH Terms:
Advertising/legislation & jurisprudence*
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use*
Family Practice
Humans
Legislation, Drug
Naphthalenes/therapeutic use*
Netherlands
Onychomycosis/drug therapy
Substances:
Antifungal Agents
Naphthalenes
terbinafine
