Brittany
2009-01-11 05:14:21 UTC
By Martha Rosenberg
If 100 million Americans have high cholesterol and only 8 million have
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, how can AstraZeneca’s Seroquel, not
cholesterol pill Crestor, be its second best selling pill?
Right after its number one pill, the Purple Performer Nexium?
Can anyone say disease mongering?
For years, AstraZeneca has tried to convince depressed people they are
really bipolar and need to take the atypical antipsychotic Seroquel
(quetiapine fumarate) which is only approved for schizophrenia or
bipolar disorder.
“Is It Really Depression or Could It Be Bipolar Disorder?” trumpet
the ads, urging unaware victims to take a Symptom Quiz and find out
how sick they really are.
Full color spreads run in general interest magazines showing a
rampaging woman her mouth contorted - think female Dark Knight -
asking readers is this you?
“Are there periods of time when you have racing thoughts? Fly off the
handle at little things? Spend out of control? Need less sleep? Feel
irritable? You may need treatment for bipolar disorder.”
Now the FDA says AstraZeneca can not - repeat not - market Seroquel
for depression.
For more go to http://badpsych.com/2009/01/10/are-you-bipolar-unethical-drug-company-hopes-so/
If 100 million Americans have high cholesterol and only 8 million have
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, how can AstraZeneca’s Seroquel, not
cholesterol pill Crestor, be its second best selling pill?
Right after its number one pill, the Purple Performer Nexium?
Can anyone say disease mongering?
For years, AstraZeneca has tried to convince depressed people they are
really bipolar and need to take the atypical antipsychotic Seroquel
(quetiapine fumarate) which is only approved for schizophrenia or
bipolar disorder.
“Is It Really Depression or Could It Be Bipolar Disorder?” trumpet
the ads, urging unaware victims to take a Symptom Quiz and find out
how sick they really are.
Full color spreads run in general interest magazines showing a
rampaging woman her mouth contorted - think female Dark Knight -
asking readers is this you?
“Are there periods of time when you have racing thoughts? Fly off the
handle at little things? Spend out of control? Need less sleep? Feel
irritable? You may need treatment for bipolar disorder.”
Now the FDA says AstraZeneca can not - repeat not - market Seroquel
for depression.
For more go to http://badpsych.com/2009/01/10/are-you-bipolar-unethical-drug-company-hopes-so/