An Annals of Internal Medicine article this week summarizes the authors' review of approximately 8000 pages of publicly available documents regarding the case of United States of America ex. rel David Franklin vs. Pfizer, Inc., and Parke-Davis, Division of Warner-Lambert Company. This is the lawsuit against Pfizer for illegal "off-label" promotion of the drug Neurontin - promoting it for a use for which it was not approved.
The authors write about Pfizer's recruitment of medical "thought leaders," "key influencers," and "movers and shakers. " "For example, in 2 documents Parke-Davis identified 40 potential thought leaders in the northeastern United States, including 26 current or future department chairs, vice chairs, and directors of academic clinical programs or divisions. Of these 40 leaders, 35 participated in at least 1 Parke-Davis–sponsored activity, including 14 who requested or were allocated $10 250 to $158 250 in honoraria, research grants, or educational grants between 1993 and 1997."
That is just one of many strategies outlined in this extensive review. Read it...and be ready to take an aspirin or your favorite upset stomach med.
Posted by schwitz at August 16, 2006 08:13 AM | TrackBack