Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3112

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

Melville A, Johnson C.
Cured to death: the effects of prescription drugs
1982;

Abstract:

Advertising sells drugs in the same way that it sells anything else. The pharmaceutical industry knows and exploits this knowledge through its promotion practices such as having sales representatives give out selective information on products that emphasize their good points. Large sums of money are spent annually and in the United States over 26000 people are employed as sales representatives. Sponsorship of continuing medical education is another promotional tactic used by the industry. In order to increase sales the industry medicalizes problems such as behavioural difficulties in children, bed wetting and minor situational problems of everyday life.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/United Kingdom/promotion costs and volume/sales representatives/quality of information/corporate funding/continuing medical education/CME/drug names/ medicalization of problems/ psychotropic drugs/ad revenue/developing countries/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DETAILING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: MEDICALIZATION OF PROBLEMS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTION AND HEALTH NEEDS: PROMOTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES/PROMOTION DISGUISED: SUPPORT FOR CME/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: DRUG NAME/VOLUME OF AND EXPENDITURE ON PROMOTION