E-drug: Legal innovation from AstraZeneca? (cont'd)
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We had already commenced investigation of this issue and will
implement Andrew's suggestion.
During 20 years of questioning misleading drug promotion MaLAM has
been threatened with legal action only once. The threat was in 1998
from UCB re our criticism of an advertisement for the antihistamine
Atarax (hydroxyzine) about which we had incorrect information. We
thought they were promoting it for global therapy for cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, dermatological and/or respiratory problems. In fact
UCB was promoting it for as a global treatment for Anxiety with
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermatological and respiratory
problems. The word "anxiety" had been lost during photocopying to
make the copy that was sent to our office because it was in light
green.
We printed a correction which included justified criticism of the "real"
advertisement and have not heard from UCB since.
We thank Ellen for listing similar examples. The others that I can
remember are:
1. Nestle vs a Swiss church group who published a report about the
marketing of breast milk substitutes. I think this was in the late 70s or
early 80s
2. Upjohn vs Professor Ian Oswald re Halcion in 1993.
3. I have heard rumours that la review Prescrire have had some
experiences but I do not know the details. If our friends in Paris are
willing and able to tell us about what happened there may be some
lessons of benefit for many of us.
Please let me know of any other similar examples.
regards,
Peter
Dr Peter Mansfield
Director, MaLAM (Medical Lobby for Appropriate Marketing)
peter.mansfield@flinders.edu.au
www.camtech.net.au/malam
PO Box 172 Daw Pk SA 5041 Australia
ph/fax +61 8 83742245
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