Awards: Past Winners
Improper Marketing As An Infectious Disease
Entrants: Ed Silverman
Affiliation: Pharmalot.com
Year: 2007
Trade Publications/Online Journals/Newsletters
Place: Third Place
This was a three-part series concerning allegations that Pfizer sales reps were encouraged to use inappropriate business practices to boost sales of an older AIDS medication. The posts discussed how sales reps used unapproved materials to attempt to convince doctors that Pfizer's Viracept was superior to rival medications. Reps were also urged to skirt rules governing the appropriate use of professional speakers for continuing medical education programs.
Judges' Comments: A three-part series surrounding allegations that Pfizer marketing managers encouraged sales reps to use inappropriate business practices to boost sales of on AIDS medication. The writer builds his case using an inside source and internal Pfizer e-mails, reproduced on the pharma blog. As a result, three Pfizer managers resigned from the company.