ADVANTAGE: Science First, Marketing Second
Authors: Kevin P. Hill, David S. Egilman, Harlan M. Krumholz
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2008)

Letters18 November 2008ADVANTAGE: Science First, Marketing SecondKevin P. Hill, MD, MHS, David S. Egilman, MD, MPH, and Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SMKevin P. Hill, MD, MHSFrom McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478; Brown University, Providence, RI 02912; and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.Search for more papers by this author, David S. Egilman, MD, MPHFrom McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478; Brown University, Providence, RI 02912; and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.Search for more papers by this author, and Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SMFrom McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478; Brown University, Providence, RI 02912; and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-149-10-200811180-00025 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:The evidence that Merck pursued a seeding trial to support sales of Vioxx is clear and is derived from their own internal documents.Dr. Edelman states that ADVANTAGE was developed by a group that was separate from Merck's marketing department. David Anstice, the former president of Merck's USHH organization, which had overarching responsibility for the study, affirmed in court, under oath, that ADVANTAGE was initiated and conducted by physicians in marketing (1).ADVANTAGE is not a case, as suggested by Dr. Edelman, in which marketing is leveraging a study that originates within a company's research division. It is ...References1. Trial testimony of David Anstice. Hermans v Merck. 27 January 2007. Google Scholar2. McKines C, Sherwood L. Memo to Merck Marketing. Best Physician Program Award. 4 January 1999. Bates No. MRK-ACJ0000495. Accessed at dida.library.ucsf.edu/tid/vio21x10 on 23 September 2008. Google Scholar3. Scolnick E. E-mail to Greene D. ADVANTAGE CV event tables. 7 April 2001. Bates No. MRK-ACR0009150. Accessed at dida.library.ucsf.edu/tid/vio22x10 on 23 September 2008. Google Scholar4. Kessler DA, Rose JL, Temple RJ, Schapiro R, and Griffin JP. Therapeutic-class warsdrug promotion in a competitive marketplace. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:1350-3. [PMID: 7935706] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Kevin P. Hill, MD, MHS; David S. Egilman, MD, MPH; Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SMAffiliations: From McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478; Brown University, Providence, RI 02912; and Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.Disclaimer: All authors were compensated for participation in litigation against Merck at the request of plaintiffs.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoThe ADVANTAGE Seeding Trial: A Review of Internal Documents Kevin P. Hill , Joseph S. Ross , David S. Egilman , and Harlan M. Krumholz ADVANTAGE: Science First, Marketing Second Jonathan M. Edelman Metrics 18 November 2008Volume 149, Issue 10Page: 773-774KeywordsDrugsHabitsOsteoarthritis ePublished: 18 November 2008 Issue Published: 18 November 2008 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2008 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...