Do drug companies hire distinguished doctors to push drugs at professional seminars, disguised as educational symposiums? Are doctors the targets of other slick ad campaigns by drug companies? Apparently so, says an article in the February 1992 issue of Consumer Reports. The article calls it inefficient medicine and a major contributor to soaring health care costs.

One incident involved paid T.V. time where doctors were urged to use a drug (Actigall) for gallstones, despite conflicting with standard medical recommendations. The FDA declared the program false and misleading.

The most heavily promoted drugs are those for arthritis, high blood pressure, ulcers, high cholesterol, and respiratory infections. The Consumer Reports article suggested patients ask their doctor if non-drug therapies could be used.