title: Content analysis of oncology-related pharmaceutical advertising in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The oncology market represents one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in any medical field, and printed advertising in medical journals is an important channel by which pharmaceutical companies communicate with healthcare professionals. The aim of the present study was to analyze the volume and content of and trends and changes in oncology-related advertising intended for healthcare professionals in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Information that could be included in advertisements to promote drug development and improve treatment strategies for cancer patients is discussed on the basis of the results of the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 6,720 advertisements covering 13,039 pages in a leading oncology medical journal published (by the American Society of Clinical Oncology) between January 2005 and December 2009 were analyzed. The advertisements targeting pharmaceuticals and clinical trials, in particular, were reviewed. A total of 6,720 advertisements covering 13,039 pages were included in the analysis. For the years 2005-2009, the percentages of total journal pages dedicated to advertising were 24.0%, 45.7%, 49.8%, 46.8%, and 49.8%, respectively. Package insert information and efficacy and safety explanations appeared in more than 80% of advertisements intended for pharmaceutical promotion. From 2005 to 2009, the overall quantity of drug advertisements decreased by approximately 13%, whereas advertisements calling for the enrollment of patients into registration trials increased by approximately 11%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Throughout the study period, oncology-related pharmaceutical advertisements occupied a considerable number of pages relative to other journal content. The proportion of advertisements on ongoing clinical trials increased progressively throughout the study period.
authors.affiliation: Breast and Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. kyonemor@ncc.go.jp
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yonemori
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hirakawa
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Taizo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Mayu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yunokawa
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004345:Drug Industry; D018156:Journalism, Medical; D008495:Medical Oncology; D010380:Peer Review
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents