Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2627

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: Journal Article

Mintzes B, Lippman A.
Re: Selling, or selling out? [response]
Journal of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada 2000 Oct; 22:(10):786-787

Abstract:

Dr Baumgarten’s assertion that direct-to-consumer is legal in Canada is indeed a surprise. The Food and Drug Act states that no person shall advertise a drug for sale to the general public if that drug contains any of the substances listed in the schedule to Division 10 (C.01.001A). This is a general prohibition against DTCA. The only exception is a 1978 amendment meant to accommodate price comparisons for consumers. The Alesse campaign by Wyeth-Ayerst respects neither the wording nor the spirit of the prohibition against DTCA in Canadian law. Adding to our surprise is his statement that Advertising Standards Canada is the body responsible for reviewing prescription and non-prescription advertising. All of Health Canada’s documents describing Advertising Standards Canada’s mandate refer only to non-prescription drug advertising. When Wyeth-Ayerst is operating outside its home base, the United States, it has a legal and ethical responsibility to respect the health protection laws of other nations. The World Health Organisation has developed a set of criteria for the ethical marketing of pharmaceuticals. The SOGC cannot afford to ignore these international ethical standards for drug marketing. Prescription drug advertising is NOT education

Keywords:
*letter to the editor Canada