on using the company's drug for weight management without making clear the company's involvement. Thereview highlights how the company"orchestrated a large-scale Saxenda promotional campaign… downplaying [the drug's] side effects."
"What both the Novo Nordisk and Astellas cases have in common is the tacit acceptance of a vast majority of health care professionals and organizations exposed to the companies' unethical marketing." "In addition, health care professionals and organizations should harness their economic and professional power to better hold their corporate collaborators accountable for unethical behavior. For example, the Royal Colleges of Physicians and General Practitioners have now ended their partnerships with Novo Nordisk, returning any outstanding grants and pausing any associated projects."
Dr. Mulinari suggests Sweden might serve as an illustration of the impact of stricter rules on industry. In 2014, Sweden's industry trade group proactively banned drug companies from paying doctors' travel and accommodation and participation at medical conferences—a practice that is still allowed in the UK.