Posted by Daveman on May 5, 2001, at 2:13:27
In reply to Open to interpretation, posted by Mr.Scott on May 4, 2001, at 9:45:21
Hey, I never denied that pharmaceutical companies spend tons of money on promotion. Heck, from what I've seen, the Effexor salesmen must camp outside my pdoc's office, 'cause they are in the waiting room practically every time I go in for an appointment!
The point I was making, though, is at least these meds went through some rigorous testing to get FDA approval, and their use is usually monitored closely. Sure, there's profit-mongering, but I know my doc would never give me any med just for that reason. OTOH the "natural remedy" market is a free-fire zone, with companies charging wildly high prices and often making claims that are not backed by any scientific research.
I'm not against "natural" remedies, been known to try them myself. I'd just like to see the same standard applied to that market by those who (correctly) attack the profiteering of the pharmaceutical companies.
Dave
> This is open to interpretation. And it isn't from a left-wing publication either
>
>
> PROMOTIONAL SPENDING APPROACHES $12 BILLION FOR PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
> ___________________________________________________________________________
> Pharmaceutical companies spent $11.8 billion promoting their drugs in 2000,
> according to the Scott-Levin unit of Quintiles Transnational Corp.
>
> Approximately 60 percent of that spending was allocated for detailing. The
> number of details reached 60 million in 2000, up 2 percent from the prior
> year.
>
> Manufacturers spent $2.5 billion to advertise prescription drugs directly
> to consumers and $468 million to advertise in medical journals.
>
> Companies spent $1.9 billion on meetings and events, accounting for 16
> percent of promotional spending. The number of meetings and events climbed
> 11 percent compared with 1999.
>
> The most-heavily promoted class of drugs was antidepressants, with both the
> most details and the most events.
>
> Promotion of quinolone antibiotics increased sharply, with details up 33
> percent and events up 143 percent.
>
> Overall, 10 companies accounted for 66 percent of the industry's
> promotional spending as well as 58 percent of all retail prescription
> sales.
>
> mr.scott
poster:Daveman
thread:61365
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010424/msgs/61671.html