An Uncertain Diagnosis

Abstract

There is a substantial literature in medical journals examining the marketing and promotional efforts of pharmaceutical firms. This literature is generally critical of those efforts, focusing on the negative aspects of promotion. Although the literature is expressed in empirical and scientific terms and makes use of data, it suffers from some weaknesses. If the same methods and level of rigor were used in analyzing another problem in medicine, scientific journals would reject the research and the Food and Drug Administration would not approve the remedy.

Keywords: pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical firms, medical journals, scientific journals, FDA, Food and Drug Administration

JEL Classification: I18, M3, M30, M31, M37