Pharma spent over $20 billion on drug promotion in 2008

The Pharmaceutical industry spent at least $20.5 billion on promotional activities in 2008 according to a Budget Brief prepared by the Congressional Budget Office and released on December 2nd.

Detailing to physicians and physicians' assistants cost $12 billion, accounting for more than half of that promotional spending. In addition drug companies spent another $3.4 billion sponsoring professional meetings and events and about $.4 billion placing advertisements in professional journals.

$4.7 billion was spnt by Pharmaceutical manufacturers in direct-to-consumer advertising which was actually a drop from previous years. 

To view the complete CBO report on Promotional Spending for Prescription Drugs in 2008, Click here.