Crohn’s & Me
A stack of flyers for this online community was seen in the examination room of a gastroenterologist and passed on to me by an acquaintance.
Interesting. Seems that the site is a product of UBC Inc.
UBC makes Dipentum (Olsalazine) for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Cimzia (Certolizumab Pegol) for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
I don’t trust a pharmaceutical manufacturer to offer unbiased information to healthcare consumers and I can’t figure out why a physician would put these in his office.
Are there other portals that are run by drug companies? If you’ve checked them out, what do you think of the information or services they offer?
I’d feel a lot better about a social network for patients with Crohn’s or Colitis if it was run by the CCFA…wouldn’t you?
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February 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 am
Hi David,
My confidence in social networks for patients (and physicians) was shaken altogether this week when I caught a big pharma company trying to post fake patient testimonials in MedWorm against a press release for a new drug of theirs
They didn’t get past my moderation since they were obviously fabricated and I could check their IP address which was proof, but at a guess this kind of activity is widespread.
Frankie
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
Frankie, please consider posting the specifics (which drug, what the comment said, what IP address) on your blog? This stuff should be exposed.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
It does need exposing David – wasn’t sure the best approach to take since I am talking about a very big company -currently stewing over the matter – but you can be sure I will not let this matter slip by unnoticed.