Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Dr. Leslie Baumann
Dr. Leslie Baumann, a well-known dermatologist and clinical researcher in Miami Beach, spoke too soon about the supposed benefits of Dysport, an injectable antiwrinkle drug, getting her into trouble with the Food and Drug Administration. In another sign of the FDA’s more activist role under the Obama administration, the agency sent Baumann a warning letter informing her that she acted improperly by publicly praising Dysport before the FDA officially approved it. FDA officials made it clear in their communiqué that Baumann should refrain from making the same mistake again in the future.
Some observers see the action against Baumann, who is often quoted in magazines about medical treatments, as a warning for all doctors to take heed about improperly promoting drugs and other products.
Nancy Behrman, owner of Behrman Communications, a New York public relations firm that has represented cosmetic medical companies and doctors, characterized the FDA message to Baumann as a “wake-up call.” She told The New York Times: “The whole business has spiraled out of control, and we need to step back and slow it down.”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
F.D.A. Aims at Doctors’ Drug Pitches (by Natasha Singer, New York Times)
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