Literally. The drugmaker hired a pair of bouncers to stand guard at its booth at the annual gathering of the
American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in New Orleans, ScienceInsider tells us, for the sole purpose of keeping away US residents.Why? The booth has information about Coartem, an anti-malarial drug sold by the tens of millions of doses in the developing world, SI writes. But as long as the FDA has not yet given its green light to Coartem (a decision is due later this month), the booth would constitute an advertisement for an unapproved drug, which isn't kosher (back story). Imagine having your ID checked before being able to chat about a drug?
Hat tip to ScienceInsider (lovely photo, too)
4 Comments
I don't understand, how did they expect to keep out US residents at a show taking place in New Orleans?
They didn't. Great marketing. Very clever.
Wonder if they were armed?
"three US doctors attempting to rip off reprints were killed, but a spokesman said 'It's an unfortunate turn of events, but other hoodlum MDs, and the FDA, now know we are serious about preventing off label advertising" ;)
They don't have a choice for the reasons Ed explained and they've been doing this for years. SInce the FDA sends MDs to meetings to register as members of the respective societies to monitor these activities, and nobody needs warning letters or NOVs these days, they are just playing it safe. And remember, there aren't that many tropical disease specialists based in Rockville, Maryland.