Health

Did Celebrity TV Therapist Dr. Drew Get Paid $275K to Promote Anti-Depressant as a Libido-Enhancing Drug?

Dr. Drew Accused of Taking Money Unethically From GlaxoSmithKline to Promote Drug for Sexual Enhancement

Dr. Drew Pinsky (Photo: Wikimedia)

Dr. Drew Pinskey — most well-known as just Dr. Drew, host of the radio show “Loveline” and current producer of VH1′s “Celebrity Rehab” — has been identified as one of the doctors GlaxoSmithKline may have paid to promote its drugs for unintended purposes.

Earlier this week, the drugmaker was issued $3 billion in fines — the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history — for criminal and civil violations involving 10 drugs that are taken by millions of people. The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday that the company plead guilty to promoting drugs like Paxil and Wellbutrin for unapproved uses.

Wellbutrin — an anti-depressant — is the drug that federal prosecutors allege Dr. Drew was paid by the pharmaceutical company to promote for its libido-enhancing effects. As Forbes points out, the feds included as part of their evidence a transcript from Dr. Drew’s appearance on the national radio program “David Essel — Alive!” On that show, a woman explained that taking the anti-depressant, which unlike others, reportedly increases libido instead of decreasing it, helped her have multiple orgasms. Dr. Drew explained at the time, “What I think she was amazed about was it just suddenly started and that kind of thing most typically happens from medication, frankly.” He later specifically mentions Wellbutrin, saying “[it] actually is the one we advocate, one of the things we suggest people do if they’re getting a decrease in their libido or decrease in their arousal which typically occurs in the serotonin re-uptake inhibitor medication.”

Also included as evidence by the prosecutors are invoices from Dr. Drew’s PR firm to GlaxoSmithKline for $275,000 in just two months during 1999 for promoting the drug “in settings where it did not appear that Dr. Pinsky was speaking for GSK.”

Although some may acknowledge this practice is shady but maintain patients have the ability to think critically about what doctor’s are recommending for them, in Dr. Drew’s case, the Daily Beast recalls a reporter writing of the relationship expert and addiction therapist in 2000, “When Dr. Drew Pinsky talks—about sex or drugs or relationships—young people listen.”

The Daily Beast also makes note that Dr. Drew, although mentioned in the case against GlaxoSmithKline, was not formally charged with anything.

In a separate article, Forbes included a comment from Dr. Drew of these accusations by the feds:

In the late 90s I was hired to participate in a 2 year initiative discussing intimacy and depression which was funded by an educational grant by Glaxo Wellcome. Services for the non branded campaign included town hall meetings, writings and multi media activities in conjunction with the patient advocacy group the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA).  My comments were consistent with my clinical experience.

Dr. Drew also hosts shows called “Life Changers” on the CW and “Dr. Drew” on HNL.

This GSK settlement is the latest in a string of settlements related to drug companies putting profits ahead of patients. In recent years, the government has cracked down on drugmakers’ tactics, which include marketing medicines for unapproved uses. While doctors are allowed to prescribe medicines for any use, drugmakers cannot promote them in any way that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Let me be clear, we will not tolerate health care fraud,” Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole said Monday during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

(H/T: Huffington Post)

Comments (38)

  • mgcre
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 12:59am

    If you only knew how many millions pharma companies pay doctors for “peer-to-peer” dinner meetings to promote their products, you’d why Dr. Drew was more than happy tp pimp for GSK.

    Take this with the average $100K / Reps they pay their sales forces and you know why drugs are so expensive

    Report Post »  
  • ambrosia
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 4:48pm

    I can’t stand this guy.
    Like Dr. Phil, he’s so full of himself, he’s unbearable.
    It was always clear from day one what he was all about-
    celebrity groupie, celebrity wanna-be, pompous azz.
    He‘s not about mending anyone else’s life-
    he’s ALL about sewing up the goods for his own sleazy life.

    Doesn’t surprise me one bit that Pinsky pimped himself out to the pharma-lords
    to stuff his button-downs & dockers with endless greenbacks.
    Creepy Pinsky needs to be exiled from the medical field & reality TV and prosecuted.
    He‘s just one more parasitical jerk that the world won’t miss.

    Report Post »  
  • worldgonenuts
    Posted on July 5, 2012 at 12:05am

    I wonder if that last statement is intended for the Nut in the White House? “Let me be clear, we will not tolerate health care fraud,” Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, yeah right. So Mr. Cole is Obamacare listed under Health Care Fraud?

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:06pm

    …
    I never listen to anything TV doctors have to say.

    Report Post »  
  • thibx
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:58pm

    drug pushers all quacks and some doctors.

    Report Post »  
  • BO_Bill
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:34pm

    Dr. Drew’s is a people governed by a high degree of professional ethics, and, as the chosen, are not influenced by financial incentives.

    I refuse to believe that he cashed the check.

    Report Post » BO_Bill  
  • Desert Dog
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:35pm

    IMHO – TV doctors = TV preachers

    Report Post » Desert Dog  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:27pm

    Happy DEpendence day all you DEmocrats……..

    Report Post »  
  • Magyar
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:13pm

    This guy appeared out of nowhere.

    Put on the face of virtue and honesty–the arbitrator of truth

    ….And like so many–just another carrpetbagger!

    Report Post »  
  • starman70
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:40pm

    If, in fact, Dr. Drew is a real medical doctor, he should have known what the drug is used for and how it was to be used.

    If he knew what the intended purpose of the drug was and advertised it for some other use, he is in violation of the ethical standards of the AMA. He should have a review of his medical license.

    Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:51pm

      Medical school: USC.
      Internal medicine residency: USC County Hospital.
      “Addiction medical specialist.”

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:05pm

      He’s a hack. He’s another Nancy Grace on HLN.

      Report Post »  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:33pm

    Wasn’t it George Carlin who pointed how the spelling of therapist was suspect? The Rapist.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Rajabear1
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:29pm

    The guy is an absolute fraud and a quack. If anyone puts in real weight into anything he suggests or pushes or advises is nuts.
    Swear to God, it seems as though this guy has been put out there by the the folks who gave us the American communist checklist–everything from his ‘rehab’ crap to his bizarre psycho babble to his obsession with sexual subjects is designed to bring down accountability and groom for dependency and break down moral compass.

    Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:41pm

      Another liberal, progressive, Jewish celebrity who was created by his ethnic mob. Cultural changers.

      Report Post »  
  • cristo52
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:26pm

    And how many millions of dollars have networks made from this guy’s bunkum? Why don’t the TV networks get fined? Or have their licenses suspended? Revoked? And where does the $3 billion go? Check straight to the Treasury and bingo, it’s turned into Obamamoney and floats down from Heaven like so much magic manna.

    Report Post »  
  • conservativeBC
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:23pm

    Well they are not paying me, and I can tell you it is true.

    The wife started taking them after her Grandpa died; we went from 10 years of me begging once every two weeks to her begging to go twice a day… and that has been over a year ago.

    And that is no paid for ********

    Report Post » conservativeBC  
  • brains
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:06pm

    It‘s only fraud if it’s not true. Unfortunately, everything is a lie until the government says it’s true.

    Report Post »  
  • nobama2012yeswecan
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:04pm

    its called meth you ass doctor.. brings out the sexual freak in you..then makes you a piece of **** to live with!!
    as far as benefiting from this…God bless America!!
    this is how the Free Market works!
    Obama-Care will guarantee that all Americans are on something soon…DRUGS!!
    REMEMBER :GOOD is BAD and BAD is GOOD=2+2 is 5 =bird in hand =Global Warming!!

    Report Post » nobama2012yeswecan  
    • starman70
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:35pm

      The administration “Fined” this drug manufacturer for false promotion of it’s product all the while, the same company is in bed with the Obama re-election campaign and stands to reap BILLIONS of dollars from Obamacare.

      As Glenn says, “Watch the other hand”.

      Report Post »  
    • rawmilker
      Posted on July 5, 2012 at 1:33am

      Big Pharma & the fed attempt to keep the people dumbed down & passive…

      Report Post » rawmilker  
  • bobbyjoe
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Let’s see, my first wife tried all kinds of remedies for wait loss (Phen/ Phen), depression and any “in” drug that came along to cure her ills. None seemed to ever help only made everything worse or had terrible consequences. Her death was 11 years ago at age 37. I rarely take any medication. I go by the way that there’s a little (maybe a lot) poison in every medication. I am a dual cancer survivor. …… I sued the doctors and hospital to prove their complacency in her death and won.

    Report Post » bobbyjoe  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:10pm

      You exemplify part of the problem. Like too many, you find a cure for the lack of personal responsibility in a pill. Obesity is the result of poor behavior. Instead of changing the poor behavior, you looked for a shot, a pill, or an elixir. The bad outcome is the result of your bad decision, then you looked to others for blame. It’s become the American way.

      Report Post »  
    • bobbyjoe
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:26pm

      I had little to do with my wife’s decisions and her pill misuse. I blame her and the doctors that were doing this. Their responsibility had to be addressed and the monies received the suits went to our children when they reach 18. As I said I rarely take anything and am doing ok.

      Report Post » bobbyjoe  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:39pm

      “I blame her and the doctors that were doing this.”

      No one forces anyone to listen to anybody. That is choice. If you listen, you made a bad choice. Bad advice is given everyday, everywhere. Those who follow that advice are to blame. Unless the doctors hold you down and force the pills in to your body, they are not to blame.

      You’re like the alcoholic blaming the bartender and the sales representative of the alcoholic beverage for his demise.

      Report Post »  
    • bobbyjoe
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:09pm

      When you pay someone for advice you can expect competency for that advice. Yes, the final decision is yours on how you react to that advice. If your service isn’t good that you get, then there are responsibilities to address. I suppose if your mechanic works on your car and an accident results form his advice and repairs, you would take full fault on yourself……and yes bartenders are held responsible for over serving customers.

      Report Post » bobbyjoe  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:54am

    my rule, if it hasn‘t been out 10or more years don’t take it and frankly if you show up at the dr’s office and he is writing notes with a viagra pen on a notepad for zyrtec you need to realize the drug pushers have been there recently with their freebies and keep your brain working. Not ever a bad thing to actually question your doctor or get a second opinion.

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:52am

    Medicine is going broke because of corruption. It’s as simply as that, the corruption of government intrusion, the corruption of phony lawsuits and the corruption of greed driven doctors and no true competition.

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:05pm

      Most healthcare dollars go to non-healthcare delivery… its not the doctors. Dollars are lost to bureaucrats that have never delivered one once of healthcare. Medicine is controlled by these inexperienced bureaucrats. They run medicine like a service industry and care little about anything but the dollar.

      What were once patients are now paying customers. What was once a patient doctor relationship is now a business transaction. We have ourselves to blame.

      Report Post »  
  • shogun459
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:42am

    Just because somebody has a DR in front of thier name doesn’t make them more honest, likable, correct, SANE or even smarter it means at best they are well educated in a certian field of study. Nothing more.
    When are people going to wake up and see all the DR Liars we listen to.

    Remember eggs and butter are bad for you and Margerine is good for you, a plastic?! Good for your instead of something natural?

    Report Post » shogun459  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:58am

      Sounds like a little too much insecurity on your part to me.

      Report Post »  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:38am

    Just as Dr. Oz is a Pfizer schill and Dr. Phil whores bad movies and such.
    Shocking!
    It is humorous to consider people would take these “health care” providers seriously. “He is on TV! That means he is smart and important!” Sure it does….

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:35am

    These doctors pushing drugs for pay is disgusting … people should be taking less drugs not more. Seems everyone wants a “pill” for anything and everything .. another thing all the rest of us are paying for. Medication Nation.

    Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:31am

    Anyone who listens to these quacks is really in need of a good butt whuppin’. Get off the anti depressants and grow a set. Life is tough, quit crying about it. We have a nation of sissified men and women pretending to be men. FUBAR society. Everyone PC and afraid to light a fire under someones a@@ because they are depressed and might kill themselves…I say give them a gun if they want to end it….Coddle them and you have a worthless human being that sucks off everyone. Where are the REAL men of America? They are getting readyfor the Revolution to restore the epublic. If you arent count yourself worthless as these drug addled pukes….

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:41am

      Haven’t you heard? Better living thru chemistry… as long as the proper pockets are stuffed and correct hands are greased. Funny how some pushers are “bad” and others are “good”.

      Report Post »  

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