Last week, the European Commission (EC) published a preliminary report that described how the makers of branded pharmaceuticals delay the introduction of competing generic medicines. Industry associations for originator companies and generics manufacturers in Europe were quick to weigh in on the report. Now a UK judge has joined the debate. Read more »
A paper published in the August 19 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine says a 1999 study done by Merck & Co., Inc. for its now-withdrawn painkiller Vioxx is “an example of marketing framed as science.” The journal first published results of the trial, known as ADVANTAGE (Assessment of Differences between Vioxx and Naproxen To Ascertain Gastrointestinal Tolerability and Effectiveness), in 2003. Read more »
Regardless of how much I may agree with the general objectives of a professional organization, there are times when I just have to question the effectiveness of its tactics. Last week, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America revised its PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals. The document is an updated list of the original 2002 edition describing what constitutes as the “highest ethical standards” for pharmaceutical marketing professionals when communicating with healthcare providers. Read more »
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) released its second annual PharmFree Scorecard report last week, which ranks medical schools’ policies on the presence of pharmaceutical reps on the campus. This year, AMSA worked with The Prescription Project to produce the report. Read more »
From PharmTech.com