blog.bioethics.net

Drugged Up Celebrities

Endorsements are everything in pharmaceutical marketing, or at least that is the current conventional wisdom. The big endorsements of course would be from famous bioethicists, I know, because I read it in the Lancet. But I guess all of the bioethicists were too expensive, so pharma had to settle for buying celebrities. Tim Murphy found this account of who represents what. The B-list folks are really hawking some pretty sad stuff, too:

Ian Anderson, band member of Jethro Tull, has discussed deep vein thrombosis
for the maker of the blood-thinner Lovenox, from Aventis.
Julie Andrews, singer, has discussed osteoporosis on behalf of the drug Evista, from Eli Lilly. Her mother has condition.
Lauren Bacall, actress and Blackgama icon, has promoted the anti-macular degeneration drug Visudyne, for Novartis. Her friend has the condition.
Angela Bassett, actress, has promoted the anti-cholesterol drug, Pravachol, for Bristol-Myers-Squibb.
Lorraine Bracco, actress, discusses depression for Pfizer, which makes the anti-depressant Zoloft. She has been treated for depression.
Linda Carter, "Wonder Woman," has discussed irritable bowel syndrome for maker of Zellnarm, Novartis. She has the condition.
Mike Ditka, coach, restaurateur, and sometime purveyor of pork chops, has pitched Viagra for Pfizer.
Robert Dole, former Senator and Presidential candidate, has encouraged treatment for impotence in ads paid for Viagra, from Pfizer.
Kirk Douglas, founder of acting dynasty, has promoted the anti-cholesterol drug, Pravachol, for Bristol-Myers-Squibb.
Olympia Dukakis, actress and cousin to presidential candidate, has discussed shingles while promoting Lidocaine for Endo Pharmaceuticals. Her mother had the condition.
Peggy Fleming, Olympic skater, has promoted Lipitor for high cholesterol, for Pfizer. She has the condition.
Kelsey Grammar, actor, has discussed irritable bowel syndrome for maker of Lotronex, GlaxoSmithKline. His wife has the condition.
Dorothy Hamill, Olympic skater, has pitched Merck's Vioxx for use against arthritis.
Bruce Jenner, Olympic athlete, has pitched Merck's Vioxx for use against arthritis.
Magic Johnson, basketball star and entrepreneur, has spoken about AIDS awareness for anti-HIV-drug maker GlaxoKlineSmith. He has had HIV infection since 1990.
Guy Lafleur, hockey player, has pitched Viagra for Pfizer.
Tara Lipinski, Olympic skater, has discussed deep vein thrombosis for Aventis, the maker of the blood-thinner Lovenox.
Rob Lowe, actor and Dukakis supporter, has spoken about infection that occurs during chemotherapy, for Amgen, the maker of Neulasta. His father had this problem.
Alonzo Mourning, has done an ad for the anemia drug Procrit, for Johnson & Johnson. He has used the drug himself.
Jack Nicklaus, golf master, has promoted the blood pressure drug Altace, which he has used.
Rafael Palmiero, baseball star, has pitched Viagra for Pfizer.
Pélé, soccer legend, has pitched Viagra.
Mike Piazza, baseball star, has promoted Claritin. He has used the product. Dan Reeves, football coach, has promoted the anti-cholesterol drug, Zocor, for Merck. He has heart disease.
Debbie Reynolds, irrepressible Broadway actress, has promoted Detrol for Pfizer. She has an overactive bladder (among other things).
Dan Quayle, former Vice President and money-in-the-bank for late-night comics, has discussed deep vein thrombosis for make of Blood-thinner Lovenox, Aventis.
Sylvester Stallone, wealthy actor in spite of everything, has promoted the anti-cholesterol drug, Pravachol, for Bristol-Myers-Squibb.
Kathleen Turner, husky-voiced actress, has discussed rheumatoid arthritis, for maker of Enbrel, Wyeth. She has condition.
Ricky Williams, football player, has promoted Paxil for GlaxoSmithKline. He has used the drug.
Anna Wilson, rock singer, has promoted the Lap-band, for Inamed. She has used the device - which fastens around the abdomen -- following her obesity surgery.

All I know is that I'm not selling out for less than Dan Quayle. It would be unethical.