Monday, August 18, 2008

Doc going too far on website: Kormos

You can check the mentioned website at www.doctorq.ca. I am not familiar with the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons rules regarding advertising, but I`m quite surprised that he is willing to make some pretty specific recommendations. I`m also quite sure that most physicians do not have a special tab and page on their website for one specific drug. He must really like Micardis.

From the Toronto Sun:
Liberal MPP Dr. Shafiq Qaadri has crossed the line by pushing a wide range of brand-name pharmaceuticals, a book and other services on his medical clinic website, the New Democrats' Peter Kormos says.

"Mr. Qaadri calls it patient education," Kormos said. "Most observers would call it crass and commercial self-promotion.

"For a guy who's as smart as he says he is, you'd think he'd know better. This is incredible."

Kormos says his reading of advertising guidelines issued by both the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Canadian Medical Association would put much of the content on doctorq.ca outside of the rules, which say drugs should not be mentioned by name and that doctors should not promote products or services.

Qaadri did not respond to calls requesting comment.

His website mentions nearly 60 drugs by brand name, many with his personal recommendation, and rarely with any mention of side effects, contraindications or cost. A link to buy his 2006 book The Testosterone Factor is also prominent on the site. ...more

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