Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Self-Regulation of Drug Advertising and Promotion

Abstract

Contrary to critics' contentions that pharmaceutical promotion and advertising hurts medical care and raises health care costs, the opposite is true. Advertising and promotion improves health care quality by keeping health care providers up to date about the best medicines for preventing, treating and curing diseases. This knowledge reduces the need for more expensive medical care and helps restore good health, which lowers overall health care costs. The article cites a number of instances in which advertising and promotional efforts by pharmaceutical companies have increased awareness of health problems amenable to pharmaceutical intervention, with positive results. Pharmaceutical company support of medical journals and continuing medical education has been an important resource for the dissemination of new medical knowledge. Government regulation of pharmaceutical advertising and promotion is strict. The research-based pharmaceutical industry has adopted guidelines that prohibit many of the activities critics have referred to as abuses. Further government regulation would be unnecessary and unwise.