A Pfizer promotional campaign for the controversial drug Chantix - which includes financing a course for doctors through the University of Wisconsin-Madison - has helped the drug dominate the prescription smoking-treatment market while burying mention of its serious side effects.
Chantix now accounts for 90% of smoking cessation prescriptions, even though the Food and Drug Administration has been investigating the drug for a rash of serious side effects, such as suicidal behavior and blackouts.
None of the side effects are mentioned in the UW continuing education online course, which is paid for by Pfizer. The course directly mentions only Chantix as a first-line treatment, even though the drug is one of seven first-line treatments, according to national guidelines.
Further, organizations such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, say Chantix should not be considered as a first-line treatment.
No comments:
Post a Comment