Healthy Skepticism | MaLAM International News and MaLAM letters

2000

September:
Gifts: a transcript of a television report
This edition provides a transcript of a segment from the Australian current affairs television program “A Current Affair”. The program was broadcast on 13 September 2000. The Appendix provides a summary of what has since happened to two members of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) who appeared on the program and to one of their supporters.

June:
Can MaLAM make constructive contributions to improving guidelines?
Two problems with the WHO-ISH guidelines 1. Are all antihypertensives equal? 2. Should we aim for low BP targets? Recommendations for the Heart Foundation of Australia lipid guidelines

May:
Healthy Scepticism about Pfizer’s promotion of Viagra direct to the public in New Zealand

March:
Healthy Scepticism about Pfizer and Searle’s promotion of celecoxib in Australia

January:
SKB promotes Augmentin in Central America
SKB promotes Augmentin (amoxicillin and potassium clavulinate) in Central America with the claim that "generic producers do not reach the standard of quality of SmithKline Beecham".

1999

November:
Ethics vs Morality
Vol 17 Issue 11/12 Ethics vs Morality (We are proud to publish this beautifully written article about dilemmas for community pharmacists written by Raj Vaidya, a community pharmacist in Goa, India.)

October:
Givisiez Rocmaline (arginine, malic acid)
Vol 17 Issue 10/11 The promotion of Rocmaline® (arginine, malic acid) by Frilab in French-speaking Africa for "symptomatic treatment of asthenia in adults and children "

July:
Eisai Aricept (donepazil)
Vol 17 Issue 7/8 Eisai promotes Aricept (donepazil) in Thailand for Alzheimer’s disease.

May:
Boehriner Ingelheim Atrovent (ipratropium bromide)
Vol 17 Issue 5/6 Boehringer Ingelheim promotes Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) in Russia as first line for chronic bronchitis.

March:
Memoirs of Methods Used to Sell Drugs
Vol 17 Issue 3/4 Memoirs of Methods Used to Sell Drugs This MaLAM edition presents the memoirs of a former drug company employee regarding the methods he saw being used to sell drugs.

January:
Novartis Zaditen (ketotifen)
Vol 17 Issue 1/2 Contents This month: Novartis’ promotion of Zaditen (ketotifen). Zaditen MaLAM letter Zaditen subscribers' letter News: MaLAM International editions now available via E-mail /www for free.

1998

November:
UBC Pharma SA Longifene (buclizine)
vol16 issue11

October:
Abbott Claribid (clarithromycin)
Vol 16 Issue 9/10 Abbott's promotion of Claribid (clarithromycin) in India: An example of the use of gifts

August:
Follow-up UCB’s promotion of Atarax (hydroxyzine)
Vol 16 Issue 7/8 Follow-up UCB's promotion of Atarax (hydroxyzine) MaLAM apologises but we remain concerned about the promotion of Atarax Welcome baby Adelaide MaLAM Inc Annual General Meeting

June:
Newsletter May/Jun 1998
Vol 16 Issue 5/6 News A Website for MaLAM Reports Applying clinical trial outcomes to the individual patient by David Sackett Communicating about prevention by Peter Mansfield

April:
3M Duromine (phentermine)
Vol 16 Issue 3/4 3M claims Duromine (phentermine) has "Proven efficacy in general practice" and "A safety profile you have come to trust" but the evidence is thin.

February:
UBC Pharma SA Atarax (hydroxyzine)
Vol16 Issue 1/2 Our letter about UBC Pharma's promotion of Atarax (hydroxyzine) in the Ivory Coast was based on incorrect information and so has been removed from this Web site. No back issues are available for this issue. A correction statement will be published soon. Reports: Increased US drug consumption driven by increased spending on direct to the consumer promotion

1997

February:
Rhone Poulenc Rorer Essentiale (phospholipids)
vol15 issue1/2

December:
Newsletter Nov/Dec 1997
Vol 15 Issue 11/12 Reports: An overview of promotion Part 3 Third of 3 parts expanding on a report titled Healthy Profits written by Melissa Sweet for the Sydney Morning Herald.

October:
Newsletter Sep/Oct 1997
Vol 15 Issue 9/10 Reports: An overview of promotion Part 2 Second of 3 parts expanding on a report titled Healthy Profits written by Melissa Sweet for the Sydney Morning Herald.

August:
Newsletter Jul/Aug 1997
Vol 15 Issue 7/8 News: MaLAM is overcoming some problems. Reports: An overview of promotion Part 1 First of 3 parts expanding on a report titled Healthy Profits written by Melissa Sweet for the Sydney Morning Herald.

June:
SmithKline Beecham Ambatrol (nifuroxazide)
Vol 15 Issue 5/6 This month's letter: SmithKline Beecham's promotion of Ambatrol (nifuroxinde) Smith Kline Beecham claims Ambatrol "treats the cause" This month, MaLAM's letter has been prepared by PIMED (Pour une Information Medicale Ethique), the French distributor of MaLAM. It features a promotional brochure distributed in the Ivory Coast by SmithKline Beecham. The illustrations and the claims in this brochure promote Ambatrol (nifuroxazide) as an effective treatment to prevent dehydration and "neutralise microbacterials" in diarrhoea. It is also said that Ambatrol has "a spectrum which covers most enteropathogenic microbacterials, Shigella, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Staphylococci, Klebsiella, Yersinia...". We have not found any scientific evidence to support these claims. Furthermore, they are not even consistent with the Product Information which accompanies the advertisement Follow-up: Beaufour-Ipsen's promotion of Smecta (smectite) Rhône Poulenc Rorer's promotion of Flagyl (metronidazole)

April:
Newsletter Mar/Apr 1997
Vol 15 Issue 3/4

Special edition Improving MaLAM Part 1

1. Introduction

2. Finances

3. Aims

4. Participants

MaLAM must choose to change significantly or die. This edition is part 1 of a series intended to keep you informed and to give you a chance to influence the choices being made.

At the MaLAM Inc Board meeting in September 1996 it was agreed to commence a process of reorganising MaLAM. This edition follows from consultation involving the MaLAM Secretariat staff, our Board, distributors and voting members regarding our aims, finances and the roles of participants. We are also reconsidering MaLAM's methods which will be the subject of another edition soon.

1996

September:
Beaufour-Ipsen Smecta (smectite)
Vol 14 Issue 9/10 Follow-up: Beaufour-Ipsen is "extremely scandalized" by MaLAM's suggestion that promotion of Smecta (smectite) may divert both doctors' and families' attention away from oral rehydration therapy. However they have provided no evidence to support the symptomatic efficacy of Smecta other than a single study with controversial results. News: WHO guidelines for drug donations.

July:
IFPMA
Vol 14 Issue 7/8 Follow-up: IFPMA rulings: "Unsurpassed" dishonesty. The IFPMA's decision on our complaint about Parke-Davis' promotion of Ponstan (mefenamic acid) for paediatric use in Pakistan. The claims were "unsurpassed efficacy compared to acetominophen (paracetamol) in fever control", "faster antipyretic action", "prolonged duration of action", "better tolerance" etc. Parke-Davis had earlier agreed to remove the claim of "better tolerance" but continued to endorse its other claims. The IFPMA ruling was that no breach of the Code had occurred and "The company points out that the phrase 'Unsurpassed efficacy ...' does not mean superiority, it means equivalence." Our letter in reply protests.

June:
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Flagyl (metronidazole)
Vol 14 Issue 6 This month's letter: In Pakistan Rhone-Poulenc Rorer recommends that doctors "suspect amoebiasis/giardiasis in all cases of diarrhoea" and treat immediately with Flagyl (metronidazole). News: Profile of Prof. Tariq Iqbal Bhutta, new MaLAM Board member.

May:
Organon Multiload Cu 375
Vol 14 Issue 5 This month's letter: Hanging comparatives "more copper", "increased efficacy" and "prolonged reliability" in Organon's promotion of Multiload Cu375 in India suggest Multiload Cu375 is better than any other intra-uterine device, a suggestion not supported by the evidence. The Tcu380A appears to have equivalent safety and efficacy and is much cheaper.

April:
Beaufour-Ipsen Smecta (smectite)
Vol 14 Issue 4 This month: Beaufour-Ipsen's promotion of Smecta (smectite) for diarrhoea in Africa and in France. Follow-up: Wyeth-Ayerst have not responded to our letter about promotion to the public of Polymagma (attapulgite) for diarrheoa in the Philippines. Issue to be addressed to the World Federation of Propietary Medicine Manufacturers.

March:
Pharmacia & Upjohn Lincocin (lincomycin) and Dalacin C (clindamycin)
Vol 14 Issue 3 Upjohn persists with its claims that Dalacin C (clindamycin) has "proven safety" and "a documented history of worldwide use and patient acceptance". A complaint to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations and a follow-up letter to Upjohn regarding its promotion of clindamycin and Lincocin (lincomycin) for upper respiratory tract infections in the Philippines.

February:
Servier Arcalion (sulbutiamine) and Duxaril (almitrine/raubasine)
Vol 14 Issue 2 Misleading drug promotion and inappropriate drug licensing: a dangerous cocktail. Follow up letter to Servier re promotion of Arcalion (sulbutiamine) and Duxaril (almitrine/raubasine) in the Philippines - studies provided failed to support efficacy of either and almitrine associated with peripheral neuropathy.

November:
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Flagyl (metronidazole)
vol14 issue11/12

January:
IFPMA Ponstan (mefenemic acid)
Vol 14 Issue 1 MaLAM complains to the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations about Parke-Davis' promotion of Ponstan (mefenemic acid) for fever in children in Pakistan.

1995

September:
Newsletter Sep/Oct 1995
Vol 13 Issue 9/10 This month: MaLAM Australia project summary. Reports and assesses the results of two years of MaLAM work in Australia.

August:
Parke-Davis Ponstan (mefenamic acid)
Vol 13 Issue 8 This month: Parke-Davis's promotion of Ponstan (mefenamic acid) for fever in children in Pakistan. News: Profile of Dr Agnès Vitry, Drug Information Pharmacist, MaLAM.

July:
Wyeth-Ayerst Polymagma (attapulgite)
Vol 13 Issue 7 This month: Wyeth-Ayerst's promotion of Polymagma (attapulgite) for diarrhoea direct to the public in the Philippines. Follow-up on antidiarrhoeals. Reports on results of letters to: Labofarma, Brazilian branch of Degussa Laboratories about the promotion of Ftalomicina (neomycin, streptomycin, phthalylsulfathiazole etc.) for diarrhoea in Brazil. Searle re promotion of Diodoquin (iodoquinol) and Lomotil (diphenozylate/atropine) Upjohn re promotion of Kaopectato/Kaopectate (kaolin & pectin) in Portugal and the Philippines Doms-Adrian re promotion of Dialyl (phthalylsulfathiazole and nifuroxazide) in Africa.

June:
Newsletter Jun 1995
Vol 13 Issue 6

May:
Servier Arcalion (sulbutiamine) and Duxaril (almitrine/raubasine)
Vol 13 Issue 5 This month: Servier's promotion of Arcalion (sulbutiamine) and Duxaril (almitrine/raubasine) in the Philippines. Claims of "proven efficacy in all forms of asthenia" for sulbutiamine. Almitrine/raubasine said to be "the first drug to improve cerebral arterial oxygen content" and to provide "major benefits in cerebral symptoms, in visual symptoms, in ENT symptoms" but nothing is said about the possible occurence of severe adverse effects including peripheral neurological disorders. News: Follow-up on our June 1994 letter to Hoechst. Hoechst will discontinue Baralgin (dipyrone/pitofenone/fenpiverinium) in the Philippines as it is unable to prove the efficacy of the combination product using modern techniques. Dipyrone remains as a single agent despite unresolved safety questions.

April:
SmithKline Beecham Augmentin (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid)
Vol 13 Issue 4 This month: Saudi Arabian health professionals ask us to write to SmithKline Beecham about an advertisement for Augmentin (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid) which claims "Success that rises above resistance" and pictures the middle ear, sinuses, throat and bronchi. News: Our earlier correspondence with SKB about Augmentin, and evidence of persistent problems with SKB's control of the quality of their promotional materials

March:
SmithKline Beecham Halfan (halofantrine)
Vol 13 Issue 3 This month: In Pakistan SmithKline Beecham claims Halfan (halofantrine) is "Effective in all types of malaria" and has an "Excellent safety profile". News: Communicating with the MaLAM Secretariat.

February:
SmithKline Beecham Ashton & Parsons Infants’s Powders (chamomile extract)
Vol 13 Issue 2 This month: SmithKline Beecham claims Ashton & Parsons Infants' Powders "relieve restlessness, fretfulness and similar troubles". A paediatrician working in The Gambia tells us that the indications on the packet of this product (active ingredient chamomile extract) "could well be indicating meningitis rather than teething and the instructions suggest that mothers should persist for 5 days before consulting a doctor ... poor mothers part with relatively large sums of money in the belief that a British company like Beechams would not say that it works if it didn't." News: Profile of Dr. Peter Mansfield, Secretary, MaLAM Inc.

December:
SmithKline Beecham Halfan (halofantrine)
Vol 13 Issue 12 This month: Follow up letter to SmithKline Beecham re claims in Pakistan that Halfan (halofantrine) is "effective in all types of malaria", has an "excellent safety profile" and a "convenient dosage". News: Prescrire's sales representative monitoring network.

November:
Upjohn Lincomycin (linconmycin) and Dalacin C (clindamycin)
Vol 13 Issue 11 This Month: Upjohn's promotion of Lincocin (lincomycin) and Dalacin C (clindamycin) for upper respiratory tract infections in the Philippines. Follow up: Replies from Parke-Davis to our letter regarding promotion of Ponstan (mefenamic acid) for fever in children in Pakistan and from SmithKline Beecham to our letter regarding promotion of Ashton & Parsons Infants' Powders in the Gambia.

January:
Sandoz Parlodel (bromocriptine)
Vol 13 Issue 1 This month: Sandoz' promotion of Parlodel (bromocriptine) for lactation suppression. In Pakistan, Sandoz claims bromocriptine is "safe" and "significantly effective ... in the prevention or suppression of established lactation". MaLAM asks why Sandoz have withdrawn this indication for bromocriptine in Canada and the United States but not in the rest of the world. News: The contribution of nurses. The MaLAM Inc. Board.

1994

September:
Prodes SA Tres-Orix Forte (cyproheptadine with vitamins)
vol12 issue9

August:
Wellcome Septrin (co-trimoxazole)
vol12 issue8

July:
Doms Adrian Dialyl (phthalylsulfathiazole with nifuroxazide)
vol12 issue7

June:
Hoechst Baralgin (dipyrone)
vol12 issue6

April:
Newsletter Apr/May 1994
Vol 11 Issue 4/5

March:
Newsletter Mar 1994
Vol 12 Issue 3

November:
SmithKline Beecham Augmentin (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid)
vol12 issue8

October:
Wellcome Zovirax (acyclovir)
vol12 issue10

1993

September:
Upjohn Kaopectato, Kaopectate (kaolin with pectin)
vol11 issue9

August:
SmithKline Beecham Augmentin (amoxycillin/clavulanic acid)
vol11 issue8