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--- Poll on Physician Advertising Ethics
"Michael" news:8b36f94b.0406061422.8ca8752@posting.google.com... > Suppose a doctor has an idea to use an already FDA approved drug for a > novel off-label use based on a few rat studies. You forgot to do it didn't you or you forgot which wall you wrote on that said you can not advertise here. But it is OK to waste your time here because it is letting some other newsgroup rest a little. Harv
hmmm....can't really find a handle on this one...michael is: Michael L. Whitworth, M.D. Pain Center Columbus Regional Hospital 2400 E. 17th St. Columbus, IN 47201 phone: 812-375-3417 email: algosdoc@yahoo.com so, is he building a case for, or against??? Michael wrote: > Suppose a doctor has an idea to use an already FDA approved drug for a > novel off-label use based on a few rat studies. Without any human > studies at all, he obtains a "single use patent" through the US patent > office for say, all cardiac diseases for a drug which is FDA approved > for treating rheumatoid arthritis. He injects the drug near the > sternum as a gimick, and trademarks the procedure as "Heartcure". so far, the issue appears to be 'off label use' which is, of course, in and of itself, long standing practice in medicine; then michael throws in the word 'gimmick'...not exactly clear writing on his part as to his point... > >Then > he begins to heavily advertise this procedure on radio, magazines, on > the internet, and gives interviews to newspapers calling it a "magic > bullet" and a "miracle cure". magic - miracle - cure...all the buzzwords of the shyster > >People flock to him by the thousands and > after 2 years he has made nearly $5,000,000 on this procedures, still > without human proof. now, now, leaving out the unshown proof of the hype, making money in and of itself is not a crime or even unethical > >During the two year interval, two small studies > were published, studies conducted by whom? published where? why no citations? > >one a chart review of 20 of his patients who got > better, and another overseas study of 10 patients, neither with > placebo controls or any other controls, and without standard measures > of cardiac function being performed (subjective only). more unsupported statements only, why no actual links or references? > > Questions: > 1. Is it generally considered ethical to embark on a treatment without > any clinical trials of efficacy or safety when using a drug for a new > purpose? as an md, you certainly know the normal and customary path to off label use. the way in which you have worded most of the above leaves too much unsaid to provide valid and objective judgment. > > 2. Is it fraudulant advertising to use "Heartcure" prominently in > advertising when there is no clinical evidence it cures anything? while that is actually up to the ftc and fda, once again you are not being specific: is this the 'packaging' name, i.e. registered trademark, or just a 'slogan'? without much more info, and based only upon the above, the former is allowable, the latter is not. > > 3. Is it considered to be charlatanism when a doctor advertises a > scientifically unproven untested treatment to the masses with > advertising reaching over 4 million people? you continue in the same vein without providing the actual parameters. it is - of course - clear that you do not approve; but exactly what you are withholding approbation 'of' you have not really written, only outlined. why no references or citations? > > 4. Is it a scam for a doctor to continue charging $2,000-3,000 per > treatment for a drug which costs him $150 and for which there are no > controlled studies? oh my! how you do go on! so, the raw material costs 150; what about overhead, labor, insurance, etc., etc.? this is just plain silly of you at this point...if you are not going to provide realistic estimates, why should anyone here take your questions seriously? > > 5. Is there an issue with the doctor repeatedly calling for more > research into this area when the research will benefit only him > financially due to the exclusive patent, and when has has made > millions of dollars already without any scientific study of the > procedure? yes there is an issue - by doing so, the actual knowledge would be gained and proofs (or not) established... to juxtapose these points with the issue of making some money would - if followed to a logical conclusion - mean that every pharmco is unethical because they hold patents and make a profit... what you are really saying is that you object to this person already making money? > > This is a hypothetical case. Please answer yes or no to the questions > if possible please. Thanks!!!!!!!! i strongly doubt that this is really hypothetical Related Discussion: if you have a medical problem, discuss here (1 posts) Nightmare of Too Little Sleep: It is Tied to Too Much Weight (1 posts) sciatica question (?) (16 posts) If you can't beet em. Join em. (1 posts) Top Discussions From Our Archives MonaVie Active = Exactly What You've Been Wanting New Diabetes Drug Doesn't Increase Weight Tantric Gems back issues ===== W Very good prices on ultram!!!! Other Discussion Categories Diabetes Symptoms Health Care Policy Health Care Providers HMO Arthritis Symptoms Oops!!! Unexpected Error While Reading the Feed
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