Prominent cardiologist criticizes drug ads
Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, December 29, 2004


Washington -- The government should reassess its policy of allowing prescription drugs to be advertised directly to consumers, a prominent cardiologist urged Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The heart-attack risks of arthritis painkillers Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex have exposed a regulatory "house of cards" at the Food and Drug Administration, wrote Dr. Eric J. Topol, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.

"Unbridled promotion exacerbated the public health problem," Topol concluded. "The combination of mass promotion of a medicine with an unknown and suspect safety profile cannot be tolerated in the future."

FDA officials have not publicly addressed the issue of whether high- powered advertising campaigns for newly approved drugs are in the best interest of public health.

chris macrae beyond-branding.com & associate networks holds our 12th semi-annual retreat in London on Friday January 21 at the Friends House, oposite Euston Station - mail wcbn007@easynet.co.uk if you want to drop in and join one of one hour cafe roundtables

Campaign & Special Issue Journal for Total Brand Corporate Responsibility
posted by ..., 4:43 PM  permalink