CQ Weekly Examines Efforts by Pharmaceutical Industry to Self-Regulate Advertising

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 24 May 2005 - 8:00 PDT

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CQ Weekly on Monday examined how pharmaceutical companies are re-evaluating their direct-to-consumer advertising strategies following increased criticism from... FDA, Congress and consumer advocates that drug ads should include more straightforward information about potential health risks and limitations of their products. According to CQ Weekly, the drug industry is developing a proposal "to police itself so that the government won't be tempted to step in." The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association's voluntary guidelines would call for the drug companies to create ads that address potential risks and encourage patients to discuss health options with their doctors. PhRMA spokesperson Ken Johnson said, "We hear the concerns of consumers and of Congress, and we're taking pre-emptive action. ... Companies are concerned about the image of the industry." However, Rob Schneider -- manager of prescriptionforchange.org, a project to monitor drug safety sponsored by Consumers Union -- said, "Can we really expect drug makers to voluntarily tell us about possible problems in these ads when they know it will hurt their sales?" (Adams, CQ Weekly, 5/23).

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