Category Archives: health regulation

More on Pfizer’s consumer advertising campaign “that isn’t”

September 28, 2009 – 3:38 pm

The medical magazines, Australian Doctor and Medical Observer, have been carrying bright red, full-page advertisements from Pfizer, advising doctors that “patients will soon be asking about their suitability for combination heart medications”.
The advertisement includes a sample from a consumer advertising campaign that advises readers to talk to their doctor about a combination heart pill if [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in Media-related issues, consumer health information, health & medical marketing, pharmaceutical industry | Comments (1)

International agency urges crack down on dodgy health industry marketing

September 11, 2009 – 9:51 am

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, is coming under pressure over a meeting scheduled between the Therapeutics Goods Administration and industry, which he mentioned in this release.
Dr Ken Harvey, a tireless campaigner for ethical marketing, outlined his concerns about the bilateral meeting in this recent Croakey post.
Now, Health Action International, “an independent, global [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in health & medical marketing | Comments (2)

Why we need effective regulation of naturopaths

June 11, 2009 – 9:46 am

Moves are afoot to tighten regulation of the complementary health sector. University of Queensland researcher  Jon Wardle examines why this is particularly important for the many Australians who attend naturopaths:
This week the Steering Committee for the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists has formally called for submissions as part of its process to set up [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in complementary medicines, quality and safety of health care | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

The liver cleansing web of regulatory questions

February 1, 2009 – 11:32 am

Dr Ken Harvey, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health, La Trobe University, would like some questions answered about the promotion of complementary medicines on the web:
“The Australian has reported my complaints to authorities over the promotion of complementary medicines on “liverdoctor.com” by Dr Sandra Cabot; real name Dr Sandra McRae, a NSW registered [...]

By Croakey | Also posted in complementary medicines, consumer health information | Tagged , , , , | Comments (5)