Author: Kelly

Despite the criticisms by the Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers, the international blood association AABB, and other blood advocate groups, despite the increasing sophistication of tests to detect HIV, despite the appearance of discriminatory practices, despite thoughtful editorials by respected bioethicists, the FDA has reiterated its long-standing ban on gay men donating blood.

-Kelly Hills

Originally posted at the American Journal of Bioethics Editors Blog.

Good news for frequent flyers heading east: Viagra appears to offset jetlag. Sadly, it seems to have no effect — at least on jetlag — for those flying west.

After reading the original paper this morning, with several cups of coffee helping to decode the biology, I am left wondering both how Pfizer will pursue this to their best advantage (the risque advertising possibilities seem almost limitless), and less cynically, if it will even work for women at all. As the Women’s Bioethics Blog notes, Viagra does work as an arousal aid for at least some women, so in theory it should help some women with eastbound jetlag. But per the norm in scientific studies, the only mice used were male. Followup study, anyone?

-Kelly Hills

[edited at 1pm EST, May 23rd]

Originally posted at the American Journal of Bioethics Blog.

If you’re European and find yourself jealous of the many options pharma companies have for advertising in the United States, you will be happy to learn that

four of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies are proposing to launch a television station to tell the public about their drugs, amid strenuous lobbying across Europe by the industry for an end to restrictions aimed at protecting patients. Pharma TV would be a dedicated interactive digital channel funded by the industry with health news and features but, at its heart, would be detailed information from drug companies about their medicines.

Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Novartis and Procter & Gamble, are behind the pilot, which they are offering to the European commission as a way to give patients more information. The industry has been lobbying in Europe to be allowed direct access to patients. It argues that lifting restrictions would help its competitiveness and has hinted that companies may relocate to the US, where they can advertise to patients who then demand drugs from their doctors. Profits have soared there as a result.

Of course, pesky things like the detrimental effects to patients and the inaccurate information provided by pharmaceutical industry advertisements, playing down the risks and emphasizing the rewards, are all just part of the fun when proposing a self-regulating, on demand channel of 24/7 advertainment.

-Kelly Hills

Originally posted on the American Journal of Bioethics Editors Blog.