Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18529

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: news

Metherell M
Gifts to be disclosed
The Age 2010 Aug 4
http://www.theage.com.au/national/gifts-to-be-disclosed-20100803-115ht.html

Full text:

PERKS for pharmacists paid by generic medicine companies will be subject to greater scrutiny under new rules imposed by the competition regulator.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced a ‘‘self-regulatory’‘ measure that requires generic medicine companies to disclose gifts including hospital and entertainment to pharmacists as an incentive to stock their brand.

The increasing availability of generic medicines has given pharmacists a bigger role in directing consumers to brands, which has led to under-the-counter perks for pharmacists.