Policy Documents

IMS Health v. Ayotte: The First Amendment And Prescriber-Identifiable Data

Donald S. Ayer –
October 1, 2007

In order to most effectively convey information about their products and efficiently utilize their
advertising budgets, pharmaceutical companies rely upon prescription transaction information. A
number of states have passed or are considering laws which prohibit the use of such data in directing
promotional materials and activities to doctors. As a new Washington Legal Foundation WORKING PAPER
argues, First Amendment principles and precedents clearly dictate that such laws should be struck down
as unconstitutional.