PhRMA Intern’s Secret identity Revealed!
Way back in 2006 I reported what I thought was a violation of PhRMA's DTC Advertising Guidelines to its Office of Accountability. I received a response TWO months later from a...
New Lipitor Ads Dis Exercise & Healthy Diet. Are You Kidding Me?
In its most recent TV and print ads for Lipitor, Pfizer highlights a middle-aged man working out in a gym. In bold text and voice overs, the ad asks "Are You...
First Internet Guidelines from FDA Likely to Address Space Limitation Issue
There is much speculation as to when the FDA will publish its first guidance for the drug industry regarding promotion via the Internet and social media. At several recent conferences, FDA...
A Call for Pharma Social Media Transparency Guidelines for Patient Bloggers
"Political strategists agree that the acrimony that has tinged many of the attacks on the news media this year feels different," according to a story in today's New York Times (see...
Be a Macho Man! Ask Your Doctor for Viagra!
I came across this Viagra print ad in this week's Time magazine.
"You may be a man of FEW WORDS," proclaims the large headline of the ad, "but you know when to...
Pharma Social Media Behind the Curtain
Like the Wizard of Oz performing his "magic" behind the curtain, there may be many pharma "wizards" happily managing social media projects behind the scenes and out of public view. All...
Happy Pharma Social Media Halloween!
Shwen Gwee recently received the Pharmaguy Social Media Pioneer lapel pin in recognition of his pioneering work as a pharmaceutical social media evangelist.
Just today, Shwen received this mummy on his doorstep...
Answers That Won’t Matter: Critique of Lilly’s Defense of DTC Advertising
The pharmaceutical industry is fighting a losing battle (IMHO) against negative public opinion. The latest weapon to be employed in this battle is a 52-page "booklet" entitled "The Value of Medicine,...
Negative Facial Coding Hamstrings Patient Testimonials in DTC Ads
Even though pharmaceutical marketers are NOT exploiting social media to the degree that industry consultants and agencies would like them to, they have learned one important lesson from social media: people...
A Breast Cancer Patient’s Painful, Difficult Therapy Choice: Generic vs. Brand?
Since this is national Breast Cancer Month and I am forced to watch NFL linebackers wear pink shoes and mouth guards, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss an issue...
