The Prescription Project—Advancing Medical Practice and Policy

Advances in medicine and medical devices have revolutionized the practice of health care, curing certain diseases and improving the quality of life. However, the $12 billion spent annually on pharmaceutical marketing has led to real and perceived conflicts of interest. Research has shown that medical decision-making based on marketing rather than independent scientific evidence can compromise patient care, increase health care costs and erode public confidence in the medical profession. The stakes are high: National spending on prescription drugs is nearing $200 billion per year, growing at double the rate of other health services.