Drug Advertising, Continuing Medical Education, and Physician Prescribing: A Historical Review and Reform Proposal

10 Pages Posted: 23 Aug 2010 Last revised: 19 Apr 2013

See all articles by Marc A. Rodwin

Marc A. Rodwin

Suffolk University Law School; Harvard University - Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics

Date Written: 2010

Abstract

Through the 1960s, many people claimed that drug advertising was educational and physicians often relied on it. Continuing Medical Education (CME) was developed to provide an alternative. However, because CME relied on grants, industry funders chose the subjects offered. Now policymakers worry that drug firms support CME to promote sales and that commercial support biases prescribing and fosters inappropriate drug use. A historical review reveals parallel problems between advertising and industry-funded CME. To preclude industry influence and improve CME, we should ensure independent funding by taxing medical industries, facilities and physicians. Independent public and professional authorities should create CME curricula. An independent agency should allocate all funds to educational institutions for approved curricula.

Suggested Citation

Rodwin, Marc A., Drug Advertising, Continuing Medical Education, and Physician Prescribing: A Historical Review and Reform Proposal (2010). Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, Vol. 38, p. 807, 2010, Suffolk University Law School Research Paper No. 10-36, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1663983

Marc A. Rodwin (Contact Author)

Suffolk University Law School ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.law.suffolk.edu/faculty/directories/faculty.cfm?InstructorID=48

Harvard University - Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics ( email )

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Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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