and other concerns
Sender: owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org
Precedence: bulk
E-drug: Direct To Consumer Advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs,
and other concerns
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Please see our submission on Direct To Consumer Advertising (DTCA) to
the European Commission. We have tried to explain briefly why we see
DTCA as a major public health concern - not easy in the face of
questions like these:
"Do you think that it could be useful to give possibilities for the
Marketing Authorisation Holder to give more information? " Do you
think it would have a public interest as far as certain classes of
medicinal products are concerned? " If yes, on which classes of
medicinal products could it be possible to start?"
Such questions seem to us to miss the point. We suspect there are
major risks with DTCA, as well as benefits, and want to see them
properly addressed. We are committed to sensible application of 'the
precautionary principle', opposing any legalisation until the
benefits, costs and risks of DTCA have been reasonably well assessed.
We have a long way to go.
Other recent updates on the Social Audit website relate to the
[a] limitations of drug advertising control by the Medicines Control
Agency (MCA);
[b] the chronic problem of secrecy in government - addressed in a
further complaint to the Ombudsman about the MCA; and
[c] more about dependence and other problems with SSRI antidepressant drugs.
See: http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/5100what.htm
Charles Medawar
Social Audit Ltd
PO Box 111
London NW1 8XG
Telephone/FAX: +44 (0)20 7586 7771
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk
"Charles Medawar" <charles@socialaudit.org.uk>
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