Pharma Promo Spending Mostly Level Despite Challenges

Despite the challenges that the pharmaceutical industry has faced over the last five years – blockbuster drugs losing patent protection, pipelines drying up, and the economy taking a wrong turn – the industry continues to invest in promotional activities at much the same level as in 2007.

Overall, the total amount the industry has spent on promotion in the U.S. – including DTC advertising, samples, events, journal ads, detailing and electronic promotion – has declined only $5...