Prescription drug giveaways draw complaints in US

[Celebration]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-08-13T140029Z_01_N11456909_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-COUPONS.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna

WASHINGTON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - A free Viagra prescription or a no-cost trial of sleeping pills are examples of growing offers to U.S. consumers, but regulators and critics worry about the side effects of pitching medicines like selling soap.

Drug makers say the coupons, rebates and similar promotions lower patient costs or provide the chance to try new medicines. Consumer groups, however, say they may draw people to risky drugs they may not need, without long-term savings.

Coupons "can increase the patient's desire to take a drug that may or may not be the most suitable drug ... This is not shampoo," said Susan Sherry, deputy director of Community Catalyst, a Massachusetts-based group that has joined 22 others seeking a Food and Drug Administration ban on the giveaways.


The offers are appearing across the prescription drug business, trying to grab customers' attention in magazines and on Web sites. Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research), for example, offers a free prescription of impotence drug Viagra for every six filled. Patients can try seven days of the Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) sleeping pill (SNY.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Ambien at no cost.

[depakid]

1. It's basically disease mongering

and to be even more frank about it- it reminds me of the urban legends about "pushers" giving away free samples of heroin or crack to get people addicted.