GOVERNMENTLawmakers want research on DTC ads, discounts on drugsThe ads need more study, but a go-slow approach with new medicines could avoid some of the problems seen with COX-2 inhibitors, some physicians say.By Joel B. Finkelstein, amednews correspondent. July 25, 2005. Washington -- With the federal government preparing to take on a greater role in purchasing prescription medications for seniors, drug companies are coming under increasing political pressure to restrict their use of direct-to-consumer advertising. Lawmakers are starting to take notice of drug spending and what drives it, leading some in Congress to call for studies to analyze how much DTC advertising costs the government when it purchases drugs. It also prompted Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD (R, Tenn.), earlier this month to propose that the pharmaceutical industry voluntarily adopt a two-year waiting period before advertising new brand-name drugs directly to consumers. "In recent years, spending on direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs has skyrocketed," Dr. Frist said. "This advertising can lead to inappropriate prescribing and fuel prescription drug spending. It can also oversell benefits and undersell risks." In a statement, Dr. Frist said appropriate DTC advertising can empower patients "without inflating need or distorting medical realities." But he said that "research evidence indicates that this blitz in direct marketing has unwittingly led to inappropriate prescribing, which most importantly can compromise patient safety and care." In addition, Dr. Frist asked the Government Accountability Office to analyze how much money drug companies are spending on such advertising and whether the Food and Drug Administration has enough power to regulate the ads. [...]Full text of American Medical News content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2005 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
|
The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment. Meeting coverage - Slideshow Feature articlesHealth reform review The Massachusetts experience Litigation stress Being sued is personal as well as professional Comprehensive coverage
Most-viewed
Nov. 9 issueHouse option for public plan wouldn't limit physician pay to Medicare rates New database for out-of-network pay set to replace disputed Ingenix system Columns and series
From the vault: 5 years agoGenetic testing issues land in primary care practices Nov. 8, 2004 
|
SHARE
