NEW JERSEY, April 7, 2002: Next week in Boston, we may find out.

That's when former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler and current DDMAC director Kathryn Aiken will make important addresses at the DTC National -- the largest and most comprehensive conference ever assembled for those of us in the discipline of direct-to-consumer advertising.

Dr. Kessler, the outspoken ex-FDA chief will be the keynote speaker at the conference, and will no doubt reveal his personal perspective on where the future lies in direct to consumer promotion.

But perhaps a more telling indicator of Rx consumer brnading will be provided by Kathryn Aiken, who, as a representative of DDMAC, is scheduled to present for the first time the results of a new survey conducted by the agency that focuses on the impact of pharmaceutical marketing to consumers.

Is a DTC overhaul planned? Will the FDA recind or revise the regulations governing marketing of pharmaceutical brands directly to consumers? The presentations at the DTC National Conference may offer our best clues to date.

Given that brands like Clarinex, Vioxx, and the soon-to-be Botox (maybe) will continue to rely on direct to consumer marketing for their success, and because there is increasing pressure in the US and around the globe for clearer guidance on consumer-Rx marketing in general, and most importantly, due to the stature and the magnitude of the presenters and their presentations, the editors of this organization believe that attendance at the DTC National is mandatory.

For more information about the DTC National, which opens Tuesday April 16 and concludes Thursday April 18, visit www.dtcnational.com.

PositionInk is a weekly column that addresses issues relevant to pharmaceutical marketing. If you want to contribute an article, or suggest one, please call 908-507-7379. Or email to info@rxme.com

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