Right, I noticed that too. Sickening coming just a day or so after the article about a/ps in kids. Pushing it for "bipolar" too -- not psychosis. No one is calling Seroquel an "atypical antipsychotic" any more. It's just the "newest" treatment for that must have fad diagnosis of "bipolar." Seriously isn't just beginning to feel like maybe something's just not quite interesting enough about you if you're not "bipolar" and don't have to take meds on a daily basis? Being "normal" and emotionally stable/resilient is just so not in right now.

Yeah, the advertising money these ads bring in makes one somewhat suspension that unbiased investigative reporting is actually taking place.

Fox News Web Site has been also plastered with triple placement scrolling Seroquel ads; along with their regular large heaping of other Pharma based advertisements.

A "free press" appears anything but a "free press" in these times of huge mega corporate conglomerate news organization takeovers and consolidation.

This is just completely irritating. I know money is the bottom line and the NYT has not one ounce of concern for its readers. I am so sick of seroquel promotion that it may really be necessary for anti-seroquel sites to start going up. I'm going to start looking now...

I saw it too, made me sick. I also know that the Seroquel people wine and dine the doctors to push this stuff.

How about a link to resources like bipolar support groups, self-help books on mood disorders, and local psychotherapists?

Oh wait, no money there. Never mind.

I found this September 2009

Friday, September 18, 2009
AstraZeneca sponsors "Living with bipolar" exhibit: NAMI, DBSA

http://bipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com/2009/09/astrazeneca-sponsors-living-with.html

from my blog post

AstraZeneca, makers of Seroquel and Seroquel XR is sponsoring a traveling exhibit titled, "The Bipolar Journey: Living with Bipolar Depression".

From AstraZeneca's site, Facing Bipolar (DTC via the web, yet another marketing tactic)

"The Bipolar Journey: Living with Bipolar Depression exhibit is designed to educate and inspire you, or people you know with bipolar depression, through inspirational imagery, activities, and informational resources. It is our hope that your visit to the exhibit will educate and inspire those who are affected by bipolar depression and those who care for them

Additionally, The Bipolar Journey: Living With Bipolar Depression exhibit will offer opportunities to register for Thinking Forward™, a patient support program that offers free treatment information, resources, and practical advice designed to help you work with your health care provider and move forward with your treatment plan.

Isn't a conflict of interest for NAMI and DBSA to have a pharmaceutical company sponsored event, where the company promotes a specific drug approved for bipolar depression?

The statement above by AstraZeneca is directly targeting NAMI families promoting the drug treatment paradigm for the purpose of selling a product. By telling NAMI family members that their loved ones dx with bipolar take a toll on them and society, and using their drug might help, is a DTC, direct to consumer manipulation at its worst.

What do you think? are you a patient who has a family pushing meds at you as a result of learning that is the "right way" to treat your illness? do they attend NAMI or DBSA groups?

Are you comfortable with a drug company selling a drug for bipolar depression (Seroquel, is an antipsychotic with diabetes black box warning, currently in litigation for documents hiding known side effect and selling it anyway) running a website telling you, how to manage your bipolar? do you take what the company says as face value? should you question the ethics, based on AstraZeneca marketing Seroquel knowing that diabetes was a side effect? (ala Zyprexa)

If anyone wants to see the entire 6 page seroquel ad featured after flipping the cover page of Time this week, check out http://www.imagebam.com/image/5a508258991597 and scroll through the images.

http://74.125.155.132/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2F

I gather a picture does say more than mere words

Wouldn't expect much unbiased journalism happening at "Fox" or any of the other major news media outlets in relation to their paid sponsors.

I called the FDA's marketing department to complain about the Seroquel ads. Please, people, call in and voice your complaint. Opened up PEOPLE magazine to find an ad that directly referred to Seroquel as an "antidepressant" The number to call is 301-796-1200

Here's a sample message: In several places, in online media and in magazine ads, Seroquel is
being advertised as an antidepressant. For example, the following is a direct quote from a print ad for Seroquel in the December 21, 2009 issue of People magazine: "Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults."

This is extremely misleading and downright deceptive. While Seroquel may have FDA approval for treating Bipolar Depression, it is NOT, by class,an antidepressant and implying otherwise is harmful to the public. This practice should be seriously investigated, and if it is within the
confines of the current FDA guidelines for direct-to-consumer advertising, perhaps the existing regulation should be changed. Thanks [your name and phone number at the end]

From December 5'ths Wall Street Journal,

"Seroquel XR Gets New FDA Approval

AstraZeneca PLC said the Food and Drug Administration gave it permission to sell Seroquel XR as a treatment for depression in adults when other drugs fail. But the agency wants more information before approving the drug as a first-line treatment for the illness."

You guys need to put your facts straight before getting your whine on. AZ's doing it exactly right.

"...permission to sell Seroquel XR as a treatment for depression in adults when other drugs fail..."

Fair point, tulipmania. My personal concern (and i won't claim to speak for anyone else here) is that based on my own experience with a number of psychiatrists, once this drug is perceived by doctors as a treatment for depression, they will not wait for other drugs to fail before trying it out on patients. (Again, not because of any bad intentions on the doctors' part, but out of simple impatience. I've elaborated on my views ad nauseum in another thread -- 12/4 "FDA Approves Seroquel...")

We can debate how much of this responsibility falls on the drug company. (I don't mean here and now. "I! The Royal 'we'! You know, the editorial...") Probably not much, strictly speaking, but it still makes me feel squirmy towards all involved parties. (By the way, i'm pretty sure that my squirmy feelings are always hard evidence of wrongdoing.)

Tulipmania, my facts are straight. Seroquel is not an antidepressant. It may be approved for treating Bipolar depression but it is NOT an antidepressant, it is an antipsychotic. Implying it is an antidepressant is extremely misleading.

"Seroquel is not an antidepressant. "

Kim, take a course in psychopharmacokinetics before spouting blather. If you live near a teaching hospital then just sit in. Get an education. Seriously.

Philip Dawdy responds: tulipmania, you are the same person from the same part of ontario who i have to keep banning from this site. you keep using different ip's. you are a troll of the worst kind. go away. stay off this site. cease and desist from posting here. in other ews, you are wrong about quell.

You don't need a course in psychopharmacokinetics - that's just fancy pablum.

I'd like like know what exactly is an anti-depressant?

Is it something that relieves depression or depression symptoms? Any particular sort of depression? Does it have to do it in any specific way or is feeling better good enough to qualify?

Is exercise an anti-depressant? How about chocolate? Uninhibited, NSA sex? Winning the lottery? Do particular receptors need be affected in a specific way? Does the patient have to respond in any specific way? What is it exactly?

Why is Chantix not an anti-depressant? Is there a molecular reasoning or is it marketing?

It would certainly help if depression were some quantifiable, measurable thing. It would help if there was some way to tell if depression was actually being treated (saying I feel better is just so very imprecise...)

Rats, and I was going to tell him or her that I HAVE taken such classes - at UCSF and Stanford. I don't get the point here?? Nowhere at these world class institutions did they say that Seroquel is an antidepressant. You know why? It isn't.

Kimbriel,

It is IF PHARMA/APA tells the FDA it is...

"tulipmania" got me thinking:

"And the weather is beautiful. Just a bit of snow, but the temperature is wonderful. You may like to visit Ottawa some time, but I would recommend the spring and summer, especially to come see the annual Tulip Festival. :)

Oh, and I post here whenever I have a break from my clinical duties. I don't think my supervisor will mind. :)

Posted by: dguller at November 29, 2008 11:46 AM"

http://www.furiousseasons.com/archives/2008/11/senate_probe_snares_major_bipolar_researcher_infinite_mind_radio_show.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>--

If you haven't been to Ottawa in early May, you are missing out on one of this country's most beautiful events. The annual Tulip Festival.
- Winnipeg Free Press, May 24, 2009

http://www.tulipfestival.ca/en/index.html

About how antipsychotics are not anti depressants.

Philip Dawdy responds: nope stephany it is not dguller as you are suggesting. it's someone else who has been a troll here for about a year.

I did wonder if tulipmania was dguller myself but we'll take your word for it Philip. He/she might be a friend!

The NYTimes is running the Seroquel ad on the home page again today. It's really offensive. I can't believe the drug companies can get away with this rubbish. Bipolar depression "can consume you." Please give me a break. Seroquel can consume your identity, well being, physical health -- you name it. I think I'll take my chances with "bipolar" thanks and deal with it in some other way. In fact, walking the dog looks like a good option. Thanks AZ for reminding me.