LIMIT DRUG AD SPENDING, SAY ANALYSTS
By Adnews Staff
Two analysts working for the Quebec health ministry have called for a cap on spending for drug advertising and promotion. The Montreal newspaper Le Devoir reports that Anne Gauthier and Yvon Brunelle see these spending limits as a way to keep down drug costs. They came to this conclusion after working on a study for the government and finding that drug companies spend twice as much on advertising and promotion in Canada as they do on research. They found that a smaller percentage of income is spent on research in Canada than in other countries. The pair have suggested that promotional spending be limited to 10% of sales or 75% of research costs. Pharmaceutical industry spokesman Yves Rosconi's reply is that drug prices are already controlled by regulatory bodies and they have been rising more slowly that inflation since 1987. Rosconi also pointed out that promotional spending includes money spent to educate doctors and the public.