An appeals court ruling yesterday that dismissed the conviction of a sales rep who sold a drug for non-FDA approved uses could have major ramifications for pharmaceutical companies, which have paid billions in fines for doing just that. Two out of three judges agreed with Alfred Caronia that his rights to free speech were violated. The government is expected to appeal the case, which could find its way to the Supreme Court. [View news story]
Isn't that a MD's job -- to evaluate risks and benefits and present what s/he considers the best possible option (or one of the options) for their patient?
Has Avanir Been Unjustly Targeted for a Congressional Pricing Inquiry? [View article]
I still find it amazing and sad that more people aren't outraged by the government's involvement in what is supposed to be a free market. I know it's an old argument, but if there is no profit in discovering, researching, and commercializing new medications (or studying new applications for old medications), there simply will be no new medications. Pharma isn't a not-for-profit endeavor.
An appeals court ruling yesterday that dismissed the conviction of a sales rep who sold a drug for non-FDA approved uses could have major ramifications for pharmaceutical companies, which have paid billions in fines for doing just that. Two out of three judges agreed with Alfred Caronia that his rights to free speech were violated. The government is expected to appeal the case, which could find its way to the Supreme Court. [View news story]
Has Avanir Been Unjustly Targeted for a Congressional Pricing Inquiry? [View article]