Health

A Spoonful of PR to Make For-Profit Medicine Seem Good

by Diane Farsetta — November 15, 2004 - 12:00am

Rising healthcare costs, drug recalls and a low public opinion of the healthcare industry mean that there will be "less money in [direct-to-consumer advertising]" and "more money in PR" in the future, predicts Chandler Chicco's Jeff Nesbi

Main Source: 
PR Week (sub. req'd.), November 15, 2004

We Confuse, You Decide

by Diane Farsetta — November 10, 2004 - 12:00am

Women seeking abortions in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Kansas are told that "abortion can increase their risk of breast cancer," and "legislation to require such notification has been introduced in 14 other states." But "a panel of scientists convened by the National Cancer Institute reviewed available data and concluded there is no link.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, November 10, 2004

We're Here, We're Peers, Get Used to It

by Diane Farsetta — November 5, 2004 - 12:00am

"More than 20 chemical companies," including Monsanto and Dow Chemical, "have taken the unusual step of issuing subpoenas to five peer reviewers of a scholarly book." The book, "Deceit and Denial: The Deadly Politics of Industrial Pollution," presents evidence that, "in the late 1960s and early '70s, chemical-industry leaders failed to inform the government about a link that had been found in experiments with rats between expo

Main Source: 
The Chronicle of Higher Education (reg. req'd.), November 5, 2004

Fast Food Companies Are Bad for Your Health Care

by Diane Farsetta — October 23, 2004 - 11:00pm

"California's initiative laws, initially passed to thwart corporate influence in politics, now facilitate just the opposite," writes Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser. Proposition 72, "an initiative that would require large and medium-sized business owners to give health benefits to their workers," is opposed by McDonald's, Burger King, Best Buy, Target and other fast food and big box companies.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2004

Beware Lobbyists on Drugs

by Diane Farsetta — October 15, 2004 - 11:00pm

"When federal regulators started to scrutinize the safety record of dietary supplements sold by Metabolife International Inc., the company turned to the influential Washington lobbying and law shop of Patton Boggs. ...

Main Source: 
Associated Press, October 16, 2004

Angry Seniors, Paid Doctors and the Lobbyists Who Love Them

by Diane Farsetta — September 23, 2004 - 11:00pm

"Seniors' anger and confusion as the Bush administration phases in the ambitious Medicare overhaul" may help Democratic candidates in November - unless an astroturf PR campaign succeeds.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2004

Druggie Films

by Sheldon Rampton — August 31, 2004 - 11:00pm

The pharmaceutical industry has begun to discuss the idea of product placements in movies to create interest in its drugs. "I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a disproportionately important avenue for building brand awareness for drugs within the next five years - because it gets people when they are engaged," says Simon Williams, president and CEO of the Sterling Group, a New York-based brand consultant.

Main Source: 
Pharmaceutical Executive, September 1, 2004

Heal Thyself!

by Diane Farsetta — July 30, 2004 - 11:00pm

Just 13 percent of Americans think pharmaceutical companies are "generally honest and trustworthy," according to a recent survey.

Main Source: 
British Medical Journal, July 31, 2004

Trading Places

by Diane Farsetta — July 26, 2004 - 11:00pm

"Two senior United States trade negotiators who sealed the trade deal with Australia have accepted plum jobs representing U.S. medical and drug companies," reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Ralph Ives, the current U.S. trade representative for pharmaceutical policy, will become the industry group AdvaMed's vice-president for global strategy. Claude Burcky, head U.S.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, July 27, 2004
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