Friday, March 21, 2008
BLOGSCAN - Labor Union Helps to Market Lipitor
In the Health Beat Blog, Maggie Mahar discussed how a branch of a labor union, the International Association of EMTS and Paramedics, an affiliate of The National Association of Government Employees (IAEP/SEIU), has been helping to market Lipitor (atorvastatin, by Pfizer Inc). I am not sure I have heard of previous cases of labor unions enlisted in stealth marketing efforts by pharmaceutical companies. Ms Mahar so far has not been able to elicit a coherent explanation from the union. Thanks to Dr Alicia Fernandez for blowing the whistle on this on. This also has been re-posted on the GoozNews blog. Although I have not previously heard of a case in which a labor union was helping to market a drug manufactured by a big pharmaceutical company, this is but one of many, many examples we have seen of reputable organizations taken in directions at odds with their missions by leaders with their own agendas.
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SEIU Does Not Endorse Lipitor or Any Other Product
(Full disclosure - I work for SEIU.)
If Ms. Mahar had bothered to contact us, she would have learned that as a matter of policy, SEIU does not endorse products.
Official Statement from SEIU:
Recently, a letter appearing to endorse a well-known pharmaceutical was circulated by the International Association of EMTS and Paramedics, an affiliate of the National Association of Government Employees (IAEP/SEIU).
SEIU does not endorse products. The letter was generated by a Local Union staff member unfamiliar with SEIU's policy against any product endorsement. Upon learning of the letter, the Local disavowed a relationship with the product in keeping with the union's policy.
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The 1.9 million member Service Employees International Union is united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide and dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society.
SEIU members are winning better wages, health care, and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers, not just corporations and CEOs, benefit from today's global economy.
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