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More than $12 billion is spent each year in the United States to market directly to doctors new medicines and medical devices. Although many of these new treatments improve the lives of patients, aggressive marketing is also creating real and perceived conflicts of interest. Research has shown that medical decision-making based on marketing rather than independent scientific evidence can compromise patient care, increase health care costs and erode public confidence in the medical profession.
The Prescription Project seeks to promote policies that eliminate conflicts of interest at academic medical centers, within professional medical societies and among public and private payers.
The project builds upon recommendations for reforms at academic medical centers outlined in a January 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association article written by leading medical and academic experts.
For more information, visit the Prescription Project Web site.
Jul 12, 2011 - This report provides an overview of the complex pharmaceutical supply chain from manufacturing through distribution of the finished drug, and advances proposed policy solutions to help reduce the risks of counterfeit, adulterated and substandard drugs.
Read: Summary View: Full Report (Adobe PDF)
Jun 18, 2008 - This Prescription Project survey shows Americans are eager to understand financial ties between physicians and pharmaceutical industry.
Jun 03, 2008 - Most of the 150 U.S. medical schools are failing when it comes to building strong conflict of interest policies to limit pharmaceutical marketing on campus, according to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) PharmFree Scorecard.
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Oct 18, 2007 - The Prescription Project report shows that companies producing over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines spent more than $50 million marketing these widely used products for children under the age of six despite evidence of risks and lack of effectiveness in treating children.
Sep 12, 2007 - The Project’s findings on exemplary policies and best practices at academic medical centers are contained in this report.
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"After Heparin: Protecting Consumers from the Risks of Substandard and Counterfeit Drugs" provides an overview of today's complex pharmaceutical supply chain and advances proposed policy solutions to help reduce the risks of counterfeit, adulterated and substandard drugs.