Healthy Skepticism Library item: 5946

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

Dyer O.
GSK breached marketing code.
BMJ 2006 Aug 19; 333:(7564):368
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/short/333/7564/368-a?etoc%3e

Abstract:

Pharmaceutical giant Glaxo-SmithKline (GSK) has been ruled in breach of industry marketing rules after the company was found to have used a patients’ support website to promote an unlicensed drug for the controversial condition known as restless legs syndrome (also known as Ekbom’s syndrome).

In advertisements placed in doctors’ magazines between September 2004 and November 2005, the company sought to raise awareness of the condition. The advertisements directed people with the syndrome to a support group website, the Ekbom Support Group. That website described GlaxoSmithKline’s drug ropinirole as an effective treatment for the condition.

Ropinirole, originally used to treat Parkinson’s disease, is now being marketed as a treatment for restless legs syndrome under the brand name Adartrel. It was only approved in the United Kingdom in April this year and had not been given approval at the time the support group issued the statement on its website.

The Prescription Medicines . . .