Ghostwriting Used by Glaxo to Market Paxil
According to court documents obtained by The Associated Press, drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline used a “ghostwriting program” to promote its antidepressant Paxil. This allowed doctors to take credit for medical journal articles mainly written by company consultants.
An internal company memo instructs salespeople to approach physicians and offer to help them write and publish articles about their positive experiences prescribing the drug.
The document was uncovered by a Los Angeles law firm, which is representing hundreds of former Paxil users in personal injury and wrongful death suits against GlaxoSmithKline. The firm alleges the company downplayed several risks connected with its drug, including increased suicidal behavior and birth defects.
Ghostwriting is legal in principal, but that said, it could contribute to illegal activity if the information is misleading and causes harm.
Articles from the company’s program appeared in five journals between 2000 and 2002, including the American Journal of Psychiatry and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Drug company salespeople often present medical journal articles to physicians as independent proof that their drugs are safe and effective.
People of all ages take prescription drugs, non- prescription drugs, and supplements on a daily basis in the United States to prevent and treat various illnesses. Although these medications are supposed to help people, many people have suffered serious side effects, and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a dangerous drug reaction in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania pharmaceutical drug litigation attorneys at Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP may be able to help you recover the monetary compensation that you deserve.
Source article:http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090819_ap_glaxousedghostwritingprogramtopromotepaxil.html
