Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3656

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

Ginkgo biloba extract: over 5 million prescriptions a year
Lancet 1989; 2:1513-1514

Abstract:

German doctors wrote more prescriptions for Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) than for any other drug product. The manufacturers of this product, Willmar Schwabe company, have made every effort to suppress critical evaluation of the drug by threatening legal action against anyone publishing negative information. The company also forced the organizers of a meeting to cancel the invitation to someone who was critical of the drug.

Keywords:
*news story/Germany/ginkgo biloba/Willmar Schwabe/ intimidation/ reaction to critics/PROMOTION DISGUISED: DISINFORMATION AND HARASSMENT