Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6462

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

Stern RS.
Drug promotion for an unlabeled indication--the case of topical tretinoin.
N Engl J Med 1994 Nov 17; 331:(20):1348-9
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/331/20/1348

Abstract:

Ever since the publication in 1988 of a highly controversial article on the effects of topical tretinoin (Retin-A) on the appearance of “photoaged” skin, Ortho Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer, has been conducting an active, controversial multimedia effort to ensure that the general public and the medical profession were aware of this “unlabeled” indication. The author documents a dramatic increase in the prescription rates for this product since 1988 and concludes that the publicity about tretinoin has been very profitable for Ortho.

Keywords:
*analytic survey/United States/topical tretinoin/Retin-A/unlabeled indication/analysis of prescribing pattern/dermatology/consumer behaviour & knowledge/industry generated publicity/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION DISGUISED: PRESS CONFERENCES AND PRESS COVERAGE/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: UNLABELED INDICATIONS

Notes:

Comment in:
N Engl J Med. 1995 Apr 13;332(15):1032; author reply 1033.
N Engl J Med. 1995 Apr 13;332(15):1032; author reply 1033.