Contributing factors cited include traditional medical education and practice, aggressive drug promotions and many physicians' unfamiliarity with current studies.

It would certainly keep a lid on pre-approval drug promotion.

F.D.A. officials said they had to deal with 54,000 drug promotions each year, aimed at both doctors and consumers.

Federal officials warned that the plan might violate laws on drug promotions.

And doctors and governments alike are debating how to curb the excesses of drug promotion.

The old word somehow seems perfect for describing the new world of drug promotion and its growing use of the famous face.

He added that all drug promotions must be "fairly balanced."

Despite significant changes in medical advertising and medical practice this decade, face-to-face drug promotion remains an invaluable marketing tool.

Healthy Skepticism Inc is an international non-profit organisation whose main aim is to "improve health by reducing harm from misleading drug promotion".

Learn how FDA is recruiting the assistance of healthcare professionals to help end misleading drug promotions.