Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/446/5303
From The Socialist newspaper, 29 June 2006
Take over the drugs giants
A NEW report shows how global pharmaceutical giants use unscrupulous marketing techniques to influence doctors and persuade consumers that they are ill. These ultra-profitable corporations use patients' groups, student and other means to overcome the ban on advertising to anyone other than doctors.
17 of the 20 top drugs companies have been involved in offering incentives such as free samples, kickbacks and gifts to doctors and other 'opinion leaders' to prescribe and promote their products.
The multi-billion pound pharmaceutical industry makes billions of £s profit selling drugs to the NHS, money that the cash-strapped NHS could use to carry out much-needed services that are threatened by New Labour's cuts.
That's why we say public ownership and democratic control of the pharmaceutical industry is needed to plan production to meet the needs of the people.
Leicester demo
LEICESTER UNISON demonstration against NHS cuts and privatisation
Saturday 8 July, 10am, assembling in Humberstone Gate, Leicester.
Marching past health secretary Patricia Hewitt's MP's surgery, so the people of Leicester can tell her what they think of her policies.
West Midlands march to defend the NHS
Saturday 15 July
Assemble 11am at City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham.
March to rally in Centenary Square at 1pm.
Posters and leaflets can be downloaded from the following websites: nhssos.org.uk or stokesocialistparty.org.uk
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 29 June 2006:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Manchester marches to defend the NHS
What the Socialist Party says:
Socialist Party youth and students
Young people - fight for your rights!
Socialist Party feature
SWP / Respect conference: Flawed perspectives
International socialist news and analysis
Greek students' protests ignite solidarity action
New regime in Somalia a setback for US imperialism
Socialist Party campaigns
G8 leaders fail to make poverty history
Police and fascists attack Moscow Pride
Fight back against homophobic bullying
Socialist Party workplace news and analysis
Hands off civil servants' pension rights
Not just: " Lie back and Think of England"
General Motors meets workers' resistance
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