AIDS Healthcare Foundation Bans Pfizer's Drug Reps from Its Clinics
February 08, 2007
Effective immediately, AIDS
Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest AIDS
healthcare, prevention and education provider
in the United States which operates free AIDS
treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean
and Asia, including 13 healthcare centers in
California and Florida, has banned pharmaceutical
sales representatives from Pfizer Inc., the
world's largest drug company, from calling on
AHF's medical providers and staff at its healthcare
centers. Two weeks ago, AHF filed a lawsuit
against Pfizer, the manufacturer of the blockbuster
erectile-dysfunction (ED) drug, Viagra (Sildenafil
citrate), over its irresponsible marketing tactics
and advertising for the company's drug.
AHF move it reinforces to viagra today.
AHF gives preference to help the people suffered
from HIV/aids and providers of the potential
dangers and increased risks for exposure to
sexually transmitted diseases including HIV
by people using ED drugs with other drugs such
as crystal methamphetamine
AIDS Healthcare Foundation brought the legal
action -- believed to be the first of its kind
against any erectile-dysfunction drug manufacturer
over direct to consumer drug advertising practices-which
was filed in Superior Court of the State of
California, Los Angeles County [Case # BC364983],
for "Unlawful, Unfair and Fraudulent Business
Practices" in Violation of California Business
and Professions Code Section 17200, et seq.,
and Section 17500 et seq., against Pfizer Inc.
and Does 1 through 10] to challenge, "...the
unjust and illegal conduct of drug maker Pfizer
Inc., whose unlawful and deceptive marketing
of its erectile
dysfunction drug Viagra has caused an increase
in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases
including but not limited to HIV/AIDS. Pfizer
has engaged in and continues to engage in this
conduct despite clear evidence of its illegality
and harmful effects."
Over the past few years, the pharmaceutical
industry, which had long been operating in a
lax regulatory environment, has come under increased
public and legislative scrutiny over its marketing
tactics and direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising
strategies as well as for drug safety and efficacy
issues. The Vioxx scandal drew a harsh spotlight
on the industry's techniques, highlighting the
role of questionable DTC marketing tactics-which
included slick television and print commercials
in tandem with aggressive pharmaceutical sales
representatives who carefully 'detail' medical
providers in their offices, clinics and oftentimes
over expensive dinners and lunches. According
to "The Drug Pushers," an article
in the 'Atlantic Monthly' magazine, "To
'detail' a doctor is to give that doctor information
about a company's new drugs, with the aim of
persuading the doctor to prescribe them."
Source:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070208/lath054.html?.v=89
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