Released: September 16, 2008

New website on medication safety

Source: Linda A. Johnson, Associated Press (USA Today)

Amid the deluge of drug advertising and news about safety issues, plenty of patients are bewildered over how to weigh the risks and benefits of a medication, or even how to find out what they are.

The world’s biggest drug company is taking a crack at making that easier with a new website on medication safety — unusual in an industry often criticized as using marketing practices that oversell drug benefits and downplay risks. Pfizer, which gave The Associated Press an exclusive preview of the site, launched it Monday morning.

The New York-based maker of Viagra and cholesterol fighter Lipitor plans to promote the site by working with medical and patient advocacy groups, as well as with online advertising on websites targeting medical professionals and patients.

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