Pharmaceuticals

Featured Participatory Project: Eli Lilly's Contributions to Patient and Other Groups

by Bob Burton — September 11, 2007 - 10:57pm

In May of this year, the drug company Eli Lilly announced that it would post details of "all educational grant funding and other monetary contributions provided to U.S.-based organizations" into an online database. Tucked away amongst the numerous grants made in the first six months of 2007 are details of funds provided to patient groups, various research centres and a sprinkling of political groups.

Main Source: 
SourceWatch Project on Eli Lilly's Contributions

Eli Lilly of the Lakes

by Diane Farsetta — August 28, 2007 - 12:40pm

To "cut costs and reduce questionable prescriptions," 20 U.S. states contract with Comprehensive NeuroScience (CNS). CNS "identifies doctors who are prescribing psychiatric drugs outside of recommended guidelines. ... The states then send warning letters to doctors." In Minnesota, the CNS contract is funded by the drug company Eli Lilly.

Main Source: 
Pioneer Press (St Paul, MN), August 20, 2007

A Spoonful of Distraction Helps the Drug Ads Sell More

by Diane Farsetta — August 23, 2007 - 11:28am

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will study whether direct-to-consumer drug ads "distract consumers from carefully considering and encoding risk information," reports AP.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, August 21, 2007

Big-Spending Drug Industry Defenders

by Bob Burton — August 20, 2007 - 2:32am

The lead U.S. drug industry lobby group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), spent $10.7 million in the first six months of 2007 lobbying the U.S. government.

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Associated Press, August 17, 2007

When Drug Industry Flacks Attack

by Diane Farsetta — August 17, 2007 - 1:49pm

Following Dr. Steven Nissen's publication of a study warning that "GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia increased the risk of heart attacks by 43% and death from cardiovascular events by possibly 64%," he was publicly pilloried. "More than one story from ostensibly different sources" derisively referred to him as "St Steven," the "Patron Saint of Drug Safety," and "Saint Steven the Pure," reports Evelyn Pringle. Among the attackers was FDA spokesman Douglas Arbesfeld.

Main Source: 
CounterPunch, August 15, 2007

Rapper Mocks Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads

by Bob Burton — July 30, 2007 - 12:00am

The New Jersey rapper, Sudden Death, has launched a free-to-play track which mocks the drug industry's direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). The song, titled Pillagers, describes the experience of a man taking two dozen pills for various conditions being prescribed the notional drug Liquiplox that "relaxes the lining of your throat making it easier to take pills". "Liquiplox isn't for everyone.

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Pharmaceutical Marketing, July 23, 2007

The Spin Doctor Will See You Now

by Diane Farsetta — July 3, 2007 - 3:14pm

"If I had to do it all over again, I don't think I would use the Ontario system," said Canadian cancer patient Lindsay McGreith. "I would get my wife to drive me to Buffalo, because I know in Buffalo you'd get looked after, whereas here you'd just sit for seven and a half hours. ...

Main Source: 
Health Care America via MultiVu, June 29, 2007

Disclosure May Derail Doctors' Gravy Train

by Bob Burton — June 28, 2007 - 3:54am

Medicines Australia, the drug industry's peak lobby group, has lost a legal bid to protect member companies from being required to disclose details of hospitality they provide at "educational" events for doctors.

Main Source: 
The Age (Melbourne), June 28, 2007

Health Groups Dismiss Drug Ads Report As 'Biased'

by Bob Burton — June 23, 2007 - 7:39pm

A report by the European Commission (EC), which favours weaker regulatory standards on the advertising of prescription drugs, has been dismissed as biased by a coalition of consumer groups and health professionals.

Main Source: 
British Medical Journal, June 23, 2007 (Sub req'd)

"Sicko" Makes Them Sick

by Diane Farsetta — June 21, 2007 - 10:44am

"A multifaceted counteroffensive against Michael Moore's film about the health care industry" is beginning, reports Elizabeth Solomont.

Main Source: 
New York Sun, June 20, 2007
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