ABSTRACT
Although often criticized as wasteful or undesirable, pharmaceutical marketing activities contribute to the economic and clinical well-being of the nation. The inherent economic value of pharmaceutical products would not be realized without the promotional programs of pharmaceutical companies, which inform and educate physicians on the availability and uses of pharmaceutical products. There are no other commonly employed or widely used mechanisms whereby clinicians may learn about drugs and their uses. The value of pharmaceutical products is enhanced through pharmaceutical marketing activities, as they provide an information component to these products that would not be available without marketing activities.