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. 2012;7(8):e44393.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044393. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Content analysis of oncology-related pharmaceutical advertising in a peer-reviewed medical journal

Kan Yonemori  1 , Akihiro Hirakawa, Masashi Ando, Taizo Hirata, Mayu Yunokawa, Chikako Shimizu, Kenji Tamura, Yasuhiro Fujiwara
Affiliations

Content analysis of oncology-related pharmaceutical advertising in a peer-reviewed medical journal

Kan Yonemori et al. PLoS One. 2012.

Abstract

Background: The oncology market represents one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in any medical field, and printed advertising in medical journals is an important channel by which pharmaceutical companies communicate with healthcare professionals. The aim of the present study was to analyze the volume and content of and trends and changes in oncology-related advertising intended for healthcare professionals in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Information that could be included in advertisements to promote drug development and improve treatment strategies for cancer patients is discussed on the basis of the results of the analysis.

Methods/principal findings: Overall, 6,720 advertisements covering 13,039 pages in a leading oncology medical journal published (by the American Society of Clinical Oncology) between January 2005 and December 2009 were analyzed. The advertisements targeting pharmaceuticals and clinical trials, in particular, were reviewed. A total of 6,720 advertisements covering 13,039 pages were included in the analysis. For the years 2005-2009, the percentages of total journal pages dedicated to advertising were 24.0%, 45.7%, 49.8%, 46.8%, and 49.8%, respectively. Package insert information and efficacy and safety explanations appeared in more than 80% of advertisements intended for pharmaceutical promotion. From 2005 to 2009, the overall quantity of drug advertisements decreased by approximately 13%, whereas advertisements calling for the enrollment of patients into registration trials increased by approximately 11%.

Conclusion/significance: Throughout the study period, oncology-related pharmaceutical advertisements occupied a considerable number of pages relative to other journal content. The proportion of advertisements on ongoing clinical trials increased progressively throughout the study period.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal’s policy and have the following conflicts. The potential conflicts of interest does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the PLoS One policies on sharing data and materials. Financial: Ownership of Stocks or Shares: no authors. Paid employment or consultancy: no authors. Board membership: no authors. Patent application: no authors. Research grants: The following authors received unrestricted research grants for patient enrollment in industry-sponsored registration clinical trials from commercial sources. Masashi Ando: Sanofi Aventis, Wyeth, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline. Tamura Kenji: MSD (a subsidiary of Merck). Yasuhiro Fujiwara: Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Chugai pharmaceutical, Eisai, Daiichi Sankyo, Taiho pharmaceutical, Nihon Kayaku, Amgen, Novartis, Takeda pharmaceutical, Astra-Zeneca. Travel grants and honoraria for speaking or participation at meetings: The following authors had honoraria for speaking from commercial sources. Kan Yonemori: Taiho Pharmaceutical. Masashi Ando: Astra-Zeneca, Novartis. Chikako Shimizu: Esai, Daiichi Sankyo, Novartis, Chugai pharmaceutical, Astra-Zeneca, Sanofi Aventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Bristrol Myers Squibb, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Kyowa Hakko Kirin. Kenji Tamura: Bristrol Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Novartis, Pfizer. Yasuhiro Fujiwara: Ono Pharmaceutical, Astra-Zeneca, Taiho Pharmaceutical, Sanofi Aventis, Eli Lilly, Chugai Pharmaceutical. Gifts: no authors. Non-Financial: Professional: Acting as an expert witness: no authors. Membership in a government or other advisory board: The following authors are external expert members in Japanese regulatory agency (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) or Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Kan Yonemori: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. Masashi Ando: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Kenji Tamura: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. Yasuhiro Fujiwara: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Membership in lobbying or advocacy organizations: no authors. Writing or consulting for an educational company: no authors. Personal: no authors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Example of the content of a typical print advertisement for a pharmaceutical drug and the data collection method.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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