Question

How can public health professionals work to get the word out regarding the loopholes in pharmaceutical marketing of drugs? What do we think should be done?

Answer 1

The loopholes or any practices in pharmaceutical marketing of drugs need to get the word out in a structured manner and through a proper channel to have the problems addressed and the issue resolved. The pharmaceutical marketing can indeed have loopholes which can benefit the company and this can negatively impact or mislead the people taking the drugs or even the physician prescribing the drug of that company. So in order to get the word out the FDA and concerned federal and state government regulatory authorities and the proper channels to submit queries or complaints should be submitted with appropriate evidences and loopholes description along with the required resolution is to be submitted. Proper federal and state regulatory chennels are to be used especially bybthe public health professionals as it helps with the integrity of the loopholes related issues and alsonas a public health professionals, it is the responsibility professional to follow proper channels in bringing bthe word out or submitting against the pharmaceutical marketing of drugs. Approaching the media or any informal channels to getbthe word out will only help in attension seeking measures but if the loopholes are to the thoroughly addressed in a concrete and policy levels. Once the policy is amended and appropriate laws are made to counteract the loopholes we can ensure that the problems are addressed in an appropriate manner by regulatory authorities in public administration and health departments along with the FDA.