3 ms·
> Developing a new drug can easily cost hundreds of millions of dollars. When R&D budgets are no longer superseded by advertising budgets at pharmaceutical fir
by mullingitover 13y ago
> Developing a new drug can easily cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
When R&D budgets are no longer superseded by advertising budgets at pharmaceutical firms[1], I will start to find this line of argument compelling.
[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080105140107.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080105140107.ht...
- btian 13y agoDo you mind explaining what's wrong with having advertising budgets? Remember that investment into marketing is tested with the same yardstick as R&D investments - revenue generated per dollar invested. If marketing isn't effective then it won't be done.
- warfangle 13y agoKeep in mind that marketing drugs is a purely American thing; in most other countries with sane healthcare policies you can market awareness of a condition but not a drug to treat the condition. Doctors should be the one helping a patient decide which medication is best for their situation, not some ad exec.
- maxerickson 13y agoThat article is about promotional budgets, which is at least subtly different than advertising budgets. For instance, it includes $15.9 billion in samples (which are certainly promotional, but giving patients free drugs does not immediately jump to mind when you say advertising). The number there is from the figure here: http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050001 http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal...