Correspondence

Columbia/HCA Promotes Pepsi

N Engl J Med 1996; 335:1927-1928December 19, 1996

Article

To the Editor:

The recent analysis of Columbia/HCA Healthcare and its view of medicine as a business venture (Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 issues)1 is complemented nicely by an advertisement2 in the promotional magazine sent to all households in the area of our local Columbia hospital, publicizing the hospital and its services. On the inside back cover is a full-page advertisement featuring a picture of cans and bottles of Pepsi, Lipton Iced Tea, All Sport sports drink, and Ocean Spray juices — all products of PepsiCo, Inc. The ad proclaims, “Look Who's Making The Rounds. Pepsi is proud to be the single source of refreshment for Columbia.”

Perhaps Columbia has tapped into a new revenue source for hospitals and their stockholders — having manufacturers pay for the privilege of being the exclusive supplier of their products and for the right to advertise this honor. It shouldn't be long before Columbia starts marketing clothing with its corporate logo prominently displayed.

Ronald Hirsch, M.D.
Key Medical Group, Lake in the Hills, IL 60102-1289

2 References

1. 1

   Kuttner R. Columbia/HCA and the resurgence of the for-profit hospital business. N Engl J Med 1996;335:362-7, 446
   Full Text | Web of Science | Medline

2. 2

   Look who's making the rounds. (Pepsi advertisement.) One Source: Columbia Hoffman Estates Medical Center's Guide of Healthy Living. Summer 1996.