Dr. Halberstam's views are in direct contradiction to those stated in the previous article, emphasizing the absence of consensus, even among physicians, concerning the proper role of drug promotion. He points out that few physicians are influenced by ads appearing in medical journals and defends the medical profession against charges of over-prescribing on the basis that no standards exist for what is “over” or what is “under” and suggests that many patients may be under-medicated.
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