Thursday, March 26, 2009

Truth in Advertising? Hello? Navigenics?


"San Jose Mercury News writer Chris O’Brien recently featured Navigenics in his write-up of Bay Area companies that are succeeding during this global economic downturn. His profile is a pleasant acknowledgement of all the hard work that has gone into creating the genetic testing service that is most recommended by physicians."

That from the Navigenics Corporate Blog.

Are corporate blogs a form of advertising? Because if they are I would love to see the statistical research done to prove that Navigenics' testing is the service most recommended by physicians......
I am certain there are many other clinically useful laboratories out their who would beg to differ with Navigenics' assessment of what physicians want. Sorry, Vance.

The FTC is charged with protecting consumers from "unfair methods of competition" and "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" in the marketplace.(1) Although the Commission seeks to foster a national advertising environment that is both competitive and creative, at the same time, it requires that all claims be nondeceptive and substantiated. This is true regardless of whether you use print or broadcast ads or whether you advertise on the Internet.
-COMMISSIONER JANET D. STEIGER 1996

Does a contractual obligation from a physician management service count as one recommendation from a physician? Or just bad medicine from multiple physicians?


The Sherpa Says: I am glad that they are doing so well that they can buy a lab. But I am not glad they are lying on their blog :( With recent reports out, maybe next they can say that they are the service which enables criminals to steal your DNA less often...

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