Disease Mongering: When Is the Line Crossed?

SUMMARY

Disease mongering is a term that was coined by the late journalist Lynn Payer to describe what she saw as the confluence of interests by some doctors, drug companies, patient advocacy groups and media in exaggerating the severity of illness and the ability of drugs to “cure” them. Some critics suggest that even pharma-sponsored disease awareness campaigns are forms of disease mongering. Pharma Marketing News recently hosted a live podcast interview of two experts in this area and this article summarizes this lively point-counterpoint discussion.

Topics and questions covered include:

  • Defining Disease Mongering
  • Is It a Legitimate Issue?
  • HCP Co-conspirators
  • Patient Advocate Co-conspirators
  • RLS Foundation’s Ties to GSK
  • Does DTC Foster “Disease Mongering?”
  • Disease Awareness or Disease Mongering?
  • Effect on Industry Reputation

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PMN63-01
Issue: Vol. 6, No. 3: March 2007
Word Count: 3377

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