[alistairSH]

The sibling comments cover advertising to the general public, which is allowed in the US. And yes, many of us in the US find it just as strange as those of you in other places.

There is another problem, and I don't know how it is resolved elsewhere. Pharma companies have paid sales rep that travel to medical offices, and push their product directly to doctors. This is ostensibly in the name of educating the MDs, but they hand out free samples. The hope is to convince the MDs that this drug is better than its predecessor.

[ceejayoz]

Free samples is just the start. Big prescribers get cushy dinners, "educational" retreats at resorts, "speaking fees", and the like.