Comments for consumers

This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 21 No. 3 1998

When to use a new drug

The pharmaceutical industry actively promotes its new drugs to prescribers. Sometimes a new product will be indirectly promoted to the public through the media. Studies suggest that marketing is often responsible for doctors prescribing new drugs.

A new drug is carefully tested, but it is usually tested in specially selected patients. Some problems may not appear until after the drug is in general use. If your doctor plans to prescribe a new drug, you should discuss what advantages or disadvantages it might have over other well known treatments.