Lawmakers Question Use of Celebrity Endorsers

Two members of the congressional leadership are investigating celebrity endorsements of prescription medications, starting with Pfizer’s use of Robert Jarvik in direct-to-consumer ads for cholesterol treatment Lipitor.

Jarvik appears to give medical advice in the advertisements, yet he does not have a license to practice medicine or prescribe drugs in the U.S., House Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) said. The commercials could mislead consumers, they added.

The lawmakers requested records for Lipitor’s (atorvastatin calcium) advertising campaign as well as records regarding Jarvik’s contractual and financial relationships with Pfizer.

They also requested medical records of Jarvik’s diagnosis and his need for Lipitor because he claims to take the drug in the ads.

Pfizer must submit copies of the records by Jan. 21. The lawmakers’ request can be seen at energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110-ltr.010708.Pfizer.Jarvik.pdf.