Michael Jacka criticizes CMAJ for accepting an OxyContin advertisement directed at physicians while publishing a news story1 describing a US class action lawsuit against Purdue Pharma for aggessively marketing OxyContin.
Drug advertisements in Canada, unlike those in the United States, are regulated by the Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board, an autonomous organization endorsed by Health Canada.2 This process provides assurance that Canadian advertisements are appropriate for the intended audience. Undoubtedly narcotics can lead to addiction, but they are also useful in certain clinical situations.3
John Hoey CMAJ