Thank you for your letter of 24 January. I can see why you are puzzled, but I'm afraid I never got your letter of 23 November 1999. It can't have helped that it was addressed to the wrong box number and the wrong postcode.

I've never doubted you meant well by getting involved in the Pharmacia & Upjohn (P&U) advertising campaign and of course I can see that this seemed a good opportunity to respond to what you recognised as an unmet and important need. My concern has been much more to do with the impact on health of DTC advertising in general; I think there is a real risk here of winning battles but losing wars.

I know you did nothing specifically to promote Detrusitol, but our complaint was about the company that promotes it. It would have been reassuring if you had indicated some concern about the way in which the drug had been oversold.

It would also have been good to hear that you recognise that sponsorship from pharmaceutical companies carries risks as well as benefits. I'm sure companies do appreciate your annual thank you and invitations to tea, but I would not think this is a major part of the return on investment they have in mind.

Thank you for reminding me of your views on my feelings about pharmaceutical companies, also for telling me how much you think I don't understand about treatment options for incontinence. I'm sure your thoughts will be of interest to many visitors to our website.

I enclose a copy of my reply to Mike Stone, and shall copy this letter to him.

CLICK HERE TO READ ON

	Contents page
	What's New?