During your time as marketing director for the Asia Pacific region of Wyeth, were you ever tasked with the marketing of psychiatric drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, or Provigil?

I was not directly involved with these drug brands or their branded or generic equivalents within the organisation. However, Wyeth is also a world leader in nutrition and we leveraged the available science around vitamins and minerals to advance claims relating to mental acuity and physical performance.

The degree to which we could promote these consumer benefits through marketing activities, much depended on the regulatory jurisdictions in which we operated. These typically varied greatly from one country to another.

Were you and your peers aware of the alternate ‘off label’ use of Wyeth’s products? Was this seen as a positive increase of the consumer pool?

Yes indeed, the ‘off label’ use of certain Wyeth drugs was not uncommon and falls to the discretion of the prescribing GP. It is perfectly legal.

Effexor as an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) class of drug that was originally indicated for clinical depression and extended for use in a range of anxiety disorders with the launch of Effexor XR (extended release).

Off label uses for Effexor when prescribed at higher doses included the treatment of hot flushes and migraine prevention.

What are your thoughts on the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes?

I take this to mean the use of prescription drugs, without medical supervision, where there is no condition present for which the drug is approved, in order to derive a perceived benefit for which the drug has not received approval.

I say ‘perceived benefit’ because many therapeutics are only marginally better than placebo and physiological effects can often be perceived/believed rather than established through properly designed clinical trials.

The danger with this manner of drug use is that all drugs have side effects which can be dangerous or even fatal, especially in the absence of medical supervision.

“The right dose differentiates a poison from a remedy” (Paracelsus 1493 – 1541).

Every substance can be toxic, even water which can cause hyperhydration or water toxemia which can disrupt normal brain function.

In the case of steroid use for rapid muscle gain, individuals have suffered severe long term damage due to indiscriminate use and little knowledge about dosage and side effects.

It is illegal for doctors to prescribe anabolic steroids for anything other than medical reasons and it is illegal for an individual to use these substances without a prescription. Hence most steroid use for body enhancement is conducted without medical supervision although there is ample information on the internet that can mitigate some of the risk.

As a long-term gym ‘junky’ myself, I would never use steroids as a shortcut to the results I desired but I have used various nutritional supplements. However, after many years of experience, I have concluded that a balanced, nutritious diet of wholesome minimally-processed foods, is the best foundation for enhanced physical and mental performance.

Part 2

Note from Martin Lancaster – ‘the opinions expressed above are mine alone and should not be attributed to any other individuals or entities.’