Tis Always the Season for Giving

Desperate to rein in skyrocketing prescription drug costs, lawmakers, healthcare plans and individual consumers are taking a much closer look at the promotional practices of the pharmaceutical industry. One aspect that has come under heavy scrutiny is a marketing technique known as detailing. This white paper examines the mechanics and potential harms of pharmaceutical detailing, describes the steps that have been taken to address those problems, and explores policy options for addressing the issue.

Report

CALPIRG Education Fund

Executive Summary

Desperate to rein in skyrocketing prescription drug costs, lawmakers, healthcare plans and individual consumers are taking a much closer look at the promotional practices of the pharmaceutical industry. One aspect that has come under heavy scrutiny is a marketing technique known as detailing. This white paper examines the mechanics and potential harms of pharmaceutical detailing, describes the steps that have been taken to address those problems, and explores policy options for addressing the issue.