The Consumers International lobby group accused drugmakers of unscrupulous marketing practices by misleading physicians of a drug’s effectiveness and convincing consumers of the drug’s importance. The study revealed a "shocking" lack of transparency in the marketing practices of the world’s top-twenty drug companies.
In 2005 total global pharmaceutical sales grew 7 per cent at constant exchange rates, to $602 bn (€480 bn). The report identified an annual marketing spend of $60bn (€47bn). This figure represents an annual marketing budget of nearly twice that of research and development costs.
Consumers International said it had analysed the selling techniques of many leading companies, including Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson.
Currently EU legislation does not permit the marketing of prescription drugs to consumers directly but drug companies are using other methods to influence opinion.
These methods include the sponsoring of patient lobby groups, funding disease awareness campaigns and use of hospitality packages for medical experts -
"[drug companies are using] alternate pressure points to doctors, such as patient groups, medical students and pharmacists, coupled with new tactics, particularly using internet chat groups and drug or disease information websites, to market their products", according to the report.
It added - "This lack of commitment to adhere to internationally accepted standards of ethical corporate behaviour at the company level raises serious doubts about the strength of industry self-regulation".
In their report, the Consumers International (CI) lobby group called on more transparency, demanding that drug makers be held more accountable for it’s marketing methods.
Related Links -
Consumers International Report - Branding the Cure: A consumer perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility, Drug Promotion and the Pharmaceutical Industry in Europe
**UPDATED** Gifts from the pharmaceutical industry - to accept or not to accept?
HAI report on the European Patients Forum: a model of secrecy and conflict of interest
Corruption and health - The latest Transparency International report
EPHA briefing note on Regulation, Self-regulation and Co-regulation
