Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3053
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
Bell RW, Osterman J.
The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties: a critical analysis
1980 Mar; 19
Abstract:
A close examination of the contents of the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties, (CPS), using a computer-drawn double-randomized sample of entries from the “White Pagesâ€, demonstrates certain characteristics of this publication: 1) it uncritically includes many inadequate preparations; 2) it overstates benefits and understates adverse qualities of many preparations, especially when information comes from drug manufacturers; 3) little or no comparative information is presented. These characteristics promote the goals of drug manufacturers, who are deeply involved in the financing of the CPS. The authors propose two ways of rendering the CPS more impartial, both involving the elimination of direct manufacturer involvement. Only thus, it is felt, can the CPS be made a reliable source of information on drugs.
Keywords:
*content analysis/Canada/ Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties/ commercial compendia/ quality of information/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: COMMERCIAL DRUG COMPENDIA
