The Boston Globe recently reported on the ultra-aggressive marketing techniques being used by drug companies, including free trials of drugs for allergies, cholesterol, asthma, erectile dysfunction and sleeplessness.
An AMA Trustee said, "I'm really concerned that patients are being baited and hooked on free samples."
It was such freebies that sold millions on Vioxx and Celebrex. Vioxx is off the market; Celebrex is under scrutiny. Freebies continue with AstraZeneca's cholesterol drug, Crestor, despite the fact it has been linked with muscle and kidney problems. Public Citizen's Dr. Sidney Wolfe says, "The fact that someone gets it for free is not going to compensate them if they end up on kidney dialysis."
Posted by schwitz at January 30, 2005 09:00 PM