In 1995, a NSW pharmacist was fined for supplying Catovit, as well as two other drug stimulants. Many truck drivers came to his pharmacy to purchase stimulants. Recently in South Australia, road deaths caused by a truck driver using stimulants have been front page news. Our September 1995 Australian MaLAM edition featured the promotion of Robitussin. Both companies have provided MaLAM with detailed replies but neither has answered all our concerns.
Consumers deserve all relevant information.
Serious problems with the Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Code of Conduct system remain. Protest about Coversyl promotion in the UK and France. MaLAM's subscription prices to rise in March. Long-term efficacy not established. The place of calcium channel blockers in the management of hypertension, the current questions about their safety and Bayer's response to unfavourable publications.