Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2890

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

Stimson GV.
The use of references in drug advertisements.
J R Coll Gen Pract 1976; 26:

Abstract:

Drug companies attempt to substantiate claims for their products with references from professional sources. Thirty-seven issues of periodical containing 1104 drug advertisements were examined. Between a third and a half gave references. Between 26 and 37 per cent of the references were unavailable because they were unpublished or because they were not in any of the four typical medical libraries consulted. Even the drug companies concerned could not supply all of the references. The inability to supply references seems to break provisions of the industry’s marketing code. Only 60% of the references examined were reports of clinical trials of the drug concerned.

Keywords:
*analytic survey/United Kingdom/Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry/ABPI/regulation of promotion/journal advertisements/references/quality of information/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: JOURNAL ADVERTISEMENTS/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: USE OF REFERENCES/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: INDUSTRY SELF-REGULATION Advertising* Great Britain Periodicals Pharmaceutical Preparations*