New Laws are Needed to Regulate the Drug Industry

Abstract

Senator Nelson, the chief Congressional critic of pharmaceutical advertising, charges that the promotion of prescription drugs is the principal reason for irrational prescribing and over-medication. He believes that the increase of drug indications through advertising for non-medical conditions and intensive promotional campaigns all contribute to fostering the development of a drug-oriented society. He is particularly critical of the use of detail men and their uncontrolled promotional practices. The passive stance of the AMA and the Federal government, he believes, permits profit-oriented drug companies to determine the quality of health care throughout the country. In his presentation, he questions the ethics of both the drug industry and the medical profession in permitting such collaboration and asks, “Is drug advertising really necessary?”