from The Guardian, Tuesday 29 May
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,2090040,00.html
This drugs TV could wreak havoc on our health service
Pharmaceutical companies are trying to push their products rather
than help patients, says Nick Stace
Four of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies are proposing to
launch a television station called Pharma TV featuring "health news
and features", your article reports (Coming soon: the shopping
channel run by drug firms, May 21). The same source admitted that
this medium would provide an opportunity for "detailed information
from drug companies about their medicines".
This move can only be described as QVC for patients - far from a
benevolent information service. To claim otherwise is an insult to
consumers' intelligence.
Our research shows that people believe drug companies will not
provide comprehensive information about side-effects and will try to
convince us we have illnesses that we do not. Patients need real,
independent information, not more brand awareness. Drug companies
have products to push, and Pharma TV would simply be furthering their
profits.
The industry claims that this is a way to "give patients more
information", but it's likely to be information to stoke up demand
for their products. And at no stage have we, or any other consumer
organisation, been invited to discuss industry plans. Before claiming
public and patient support for their proposals, it might have been
sensible for the industry to talk to Which?, Europe's largest
independent consumer group, or other consumer voices.
A related article highlighted the fact that drug companies and
patient groups are trying to overturn direct-to-consumer advertising
of prescription-only medicines - something that Which? has been
campaigning against for years (Drug firms and patient groups join in
fight to overturn advertising ban, May 21). The companies are
attempting to "enlist a major new ally in their struggle for profits -
the patient", and Pharma TV is a prime example of things starting to
move in this area.
The European commission has been meeting behind closed doors to
discuss plans to relax the current direct-to-consumer advertising
ban. For some reason the commission doesn't want to hear the consumer
view in a debate that so often cites consumer benefits at its core.
These plans could wreak havoc on our NHS, leading to patients
demanding ever more expensive and heavily branded drugs. The truth is
that when you're ill you need information you can trust from sources
that are independent.
Most alarmingly Rodney Elgie - president of the mental health
organisation GAMIAN-Europe - compared the selling of prescription-
only drugs to that of "washing powder". As far as we know, washing
powder is not a product that needs the independent and expert advice
of a health professional in order for a consumer to decide which
brand they need. The side-effects of using the wrong washing powder
can't be compared to those of an unsuitable drug.
Is this really about improving consumers' health and use of
medicines, or is it about increasing the market for pharmaceutical
drugs? Most people instinctively know the answer; and while decisions
are made behind closed doors, our trust in the industry's motives
will not improve.
· Nick Stace is campaigns director of Which?
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