SANTO DOMINGO. - Starting today the pharmaceuticals company GlaxoSmithKline will pull a campaign which prompts Canadian tourists who travel to Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, less than 24 hours after officials demanded the ads’ withdrawal.
In a statement the company said it agreed to pull the ads after the Tourism and Public Health ministers early yesterday denounced a negative campaign in Canada that affects the country as tourism destination.
The ministers of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia, secretary and of Health Bautista Rojas said they demanded that the company immediately halt the campaign, that used Canadian radio, television and travel magazines.
GlaxoSmithKline said its company has been in Dominican Republic for 30 years and that it contributes with the well-being of the Dominican population. It adds that it periodically promotes the vaccination among Canadians travelers, and admits that this year’s campaign mentions the Dominican Republic. “At the request of the ministers of Health and Tourism, GSK Canada is committed to withdraw its campaign as of today, February 11, of this year.”
Written by: generoso, 11 Feb 2009 8:15 AM
From: United States, DR
What the hell?
Let's sue the pharmaceutical bastards for slander and defamation.
We have good grounds to sue them at home right where it hurts and demand $$$$ reparations.
Let's not fall asleep on this Francisco Javier, we need the money for tourism promotion.
Sue the pharmaceutical companies, they have been sucking our blood for years, sue the bastards!
I want to DR to own part of GlaxoSmithKline, call the lawyers that specialize in this in Canada and get an opinion, NOW!
No peace for the wicked!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
for what telling the truth in a very nice way ....you have to be kidding
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
calling a citizen a wife beater or a drunk wife beater on hearsay that is slander.....at least the drug company used their real name
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Written by: generoso, 11 Feb 2009 8:44 AM
From: United States, DR
I can not fathom understanding anyone siding with the big pharmaceutical companies placing an ad that hurts Dominican Republic tourism. To me its inconceivable that anyone that holds Dominican Republic's best interest in mind would make such a statement. It is liking siding against your own family in court.
I have not seen the ad but if they halted the libelious campaign it was for a good reason.
Sue the bastards, and sue them good.
And for the persons that don't like it in DR and are always criticizing, complaining and fault finding Dominicans and things Dominican do us a favor, you can board the first plane and get the hell out!
I love my country and I love it the way it is. with all the s.it!
Written by: generoso, 11 Feb 2009 9:04 AM
From: United States, DR
Can you tell me the thread so I can look for it?
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
you think this is another conspiracy like A Roid puuuulease
Written by: generoso, 11 Feb 2009 9:09 AM
From: United States, DR
No and I am not sucking my thumb either. There are a lot of countries in this dog eat dog world that
are not looking out for our best interests and want to harm us and our precious tourism any way they can, so they can benefit instead. It is called "competition" and not everyone plays by the rules.
Written by: generoso, 11 Feb 2009 9:16 AM
From: United States, DR
Written by: josean, 11 Feb 2009 9:37 AM
From: United States
A-FRAUD is a BUM! He can now be a spokesmen for GlaxoSmithKline on how to use syringes correctly!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
that writer at Diario is playing to a sympathetic peanut gallery........ A Roid was an unfortunate victim of a union mistake but now we know for sure he is a fraud because he lied..... luckily not under oath like the other dopes Clemens and Bonds et al ...he is still lying because he says he could not remember the names of the stuff that was injected into his @ss ....and he had like a week to prepare for his grand entrance and confession ....He certainly realized denying it did not work just ask Bonds and Clemens ....but saying I dont remember the name of the Steroids hahaha
From: United States, Reality Check
If the RD Gov wants to waste millions of dollars filing and pursuing a law suit in Canada then they certainly have the right to do so. However, given the levels infection occurrences of hepatitis A and B, Dengue, Malaria etc... It would be hard to get a win & award.
Keep in mind, that these are the same Canadians that come to the RD and get robbed, injured or killed by Tigueres wanting to rob for a quick buck (instead of working). And the RD police do what? NOTHING!
The Canadians are less likely to forget than Americans all of the RD corruption in the RD Gov, Business world etc.
You would have to look very hard and repeatedly to find a Canadian jury or Judge who would award anything to the RD Gov (at an expense to their homeland). Even if the case were in the US not many well-informed Americans would side with the RD Gov (especially after they learn how APATHETIC the RD Gov is with its own citizens).
The truth will ruin the RD Gov case!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
JD the ad is absolutely true .....what are you gonna sue for ?..... telling the truth
Written by: Cacique, 11 Feb 2009 10:51 AM
From: Dominican Republic
I agree, pursuing this any futher could only cause the s...t to hit the abanico
Written by: brootto, 11 Feb 2009 10:57 AM
From: United States, South West Florida
When I was in the military every time we pull in a port outside of US we were immunize against all kind of deceases so I don't see nothing wrong with each country trying to educated their citizens of deceases in third world countries like dr etc.
Written by: Jander, 11 Feb 2009 10:57 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Generoso ,
I am with you, " sue them into the Stone Age"
The ad itself is not the problem it is airing it without permission from the DR.
The fact that they pulled it so quick tells us their legal department said "oh Shit" who is responsible?
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
not bloody likely Jander the ad is true what do you sue for and since when do need permission to say if you go to equatorial Africa you may get Malaria
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Glaxo pulled the ad because the are sensitive to controversy if they were contacted by the Canadian Gov after the stink by the two dummies at Health and Tourism they just said shut it down ...who needs this ...the point was you can get it anywhere they used the DR as the Even in the DR .....they will regret this when they really need help to soft peddle a disaster like this years Dengue or food Poisoning or whatever ....These dummies have made a mistake to have antagonized the Canadian Media for little reason and it will come back to bite them in the @ss
Written by: brootto, 11 Feb 2009 11:34 AM
From: United States, South West Florida
People get over it it happens every where, sue is not going to do anything besides it will be expenditure of dr money remember it is a big pharmaceutical company big lawyers no chance.
Written by: Jander, 11 Feb 2009 11:38 AM
From: Dominican Republic
The state department has warnings for US citizens for every country, but they don't have pop up ad's for Trojan condoms or bullet proof vests.
Warnings are one thing but profiting from them is another.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
why not I use Skippy and they did not make Skippy in that factory in georgia where they found the hazard ....By the way peanut butter is a good source of protein you should stock up while it is on sale
Written by: Jander, 11 Feb 2009 11:49 AM
From: Dominican Republic
You are right.
I took out the Skippy part , because that is a bad example..
The rest I stand by ,
Written by: Canuck_1, 11 Feb 2009 12:51 PM
From: Canada
As a Canadian I find it incredible that Glaxo Smith Kline would insult my intelligence by naming the Dominican Republic as a destination that I must be concerned about Hepatitis. Perhaps they should take a good look at their own backyard with a large Hepatitis outbreak in Downtown Toronto. Ooops... they did forget to mention that.
I do believe it would have been in their best interests to indicate that people should be aware of the risk of Hepatitis not only all through the Caribbean but also through Africa, North America.. and in their own backyard such as Toronto or Montreal.
Like Forrest Gump says - "Thats all I have to say about that!"
Written by: generoso, 11 Feb 2009 12:55 PM
From: United States, DR
They should have placed the ad and not name the DR in any way shape or form.
The other countries that were specifically named should sue too in a class action suit.
You have to be very ignorant of marketing and what you can do or can not do to place and ad mentioning negative things about countries, that could hurt their tourism business and general investment climate.
It is like saying:
Warning: Be careful when you travel to Canada as the natives don't bathe and may smell bad and have skin diseases. Also they have been belligerent and intolerant and have invaded Iraq with the USA and caused many dead. So they could be potentially violent, might be deadly and harmful to your health.
Vaccinate yourselves against possible skin diseases to be always on the safe side.
And protect yourselves when border crossing or going out in dark places.
A public message of GlaxoSmithKline always looking out for number one!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
yeah Nanook we are coming up there to club some seals
Written by: brootto, 11 Feb 2009 2:35 PM
From: United States, South West Florida
I stand corrected maybe they should not have mentions countries, gc you are right.
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
GC,
"And for the persons that don't like it in DR and are always criticizing, complaining and fault finding Dominicans and things Dominican do us a favor, you can board the first plane and get the hell out!
I love my country and I love it the way it is. with all the s.it!"
What do you think? This could force Mr. Negative to leave us. Man, we are going to miss him!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
the sloganeering whining and complaining Mr Potato head used to be slightly amusing and was OK to beat on once in a while...But he started taking himself too seriously as all lefty Saviour's of their various countries do .....now he needs a vacation ...he was very disappointed to find out that Obama is just another politician.....I think its raul or nothing for him
Written by: generoso, 12 Feb 2009 7:19 AM
From: United States, DR
This is the worst crock of s.it I have heard in years from persons that are living in DR and sucking on our tit, enjoying Dominican hospitality and then spitting on us and justifying this hideous slip of the pen.
GSK and the Canadians made a mistake and defamed us! Why didn't they also say:
“You can even get in places like the Dominican Republic AND CANADA" as well?
But they didn't. The UNQUESTIONABLE FACT is that they did mention the DR even if they did it in a cowardly and "by the way" mode.
The fact that is true or not has nothing to do with it. The US has periodic state department country reports that if you follow them to the letter you wouldn't travel to most countries but they don't publicize them in TV, radio, newspapers and magazines.
The DR MUST sue them and sue them quick, fast and for a lot of money if we ever going to be respected by any other countries so defamation does not reoccur in the future.
GSK made a mistake, and when you do you pay with jail, money or both.
Written by: generoso, 12 Feb 2009 7:24 AM
From: United States, DR
It is called needless and cruel country D E F A M A T I O N and character assassination as well as
L I B E L.
Apologies must be demanded as well as monetary compensation.
Next case!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
what they claim is corroborated and documented with international surveys....Sue for what ?
Written by: generoso, 12 Feb 2009 7:38 AM
From: United States, DR
Now A-rod beat his wife too? Unproven and false accusations are defamation of character are libel as well.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
and A Roid is a public person or he was the last time I saw him in a photo with Madonna
Written by: generoso, 12 Feb 2009 7:46 AM
From: United States, DR
GC
For what reason are taking the side of the white Canadians against the Dominican Republic, a country that you post as your residence and has provided a warm hospitality and home for you?
Are we an inferior race?
Are we so stupid and dumb to believe the excuses you are posting for an unpardonable and image shattering "faux pas" by GSK.
Do you think there are blind people still in the DR that can be convinced with such empty defenses?
No sir, we are not so stupid and naive.
They made a mistake and we demand correctional measures taken, NOW.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
and now even yes EVEN the great Genoroso can deal the slimy race card from the bottom of the deck to try to obfuscate the issue.....Judge Judy would find no merit in your case .....try dread and his Magic 8 Ball you might have better luck ......DT needs to give us a link or the text of this ad ....I am sure the the two dummies can but probably will not .....GSK thought they were giving us a free plug
Written by: generoso, 12 Feb 2009 9:24 AM
From: United States, DR
The reason I said "white Canadians" because of the supremacist attitude in a defense of such an undefensible argument of a lost cause that is even most insulting. Seems like comments coming from a white supremacist point of view to us "ignorant and stupid" brown people that can be contented by beads, liquor and a pat in the back.
I have read the ad and like I said before it was a mistake to have printed it and heads most roll.
No question about it, and no race card pulled, just facts.
To have an " I am right you are wrong because you are our hosts and you make money off of our tourists so be careful not to shake the boat" is not right either. Wrong is wrong plain as that.
And thanks for calling me "the great Generoso" I knew I had it in me and some day people were going to notice. LOL.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
GSK is well aware of a large Caribbean market for many of their products almost as large as the Canadian one and maybe considering tropical diseases maybe larger and more profitable it is strange a company that spends millions advertising in all idioms could have missed this Slur against the DR....this slanderous dragging through the mud of our hepatitis free island will not go unsued
Written by: Hessie, 19 Feb 2009 10:03 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Luego de haber denunciado el pasado domingo 8 de febrero del 2009 esta campaña sucia contra la República Dominicana y luego de la intervención de las autoridades pertinentes en solicitud de retirar la publicidad en la que la compañía farmacéutica GlaxoSmithKline con excusas de promocionar su vacuna contra la hepatitis A & B llamada Twinrix, menciona a la República Dominicana como destino en el cual usted tendría alto riesgo de contraer la enfermedad y luego aún de que la farmacéutica en cuestión prometiera retirar dichos comerciales televisivos......(continúa)....
Written by: Hessie, 19 Feb 2009 10:04 AM
From: Dominican Republic
....a partir del 11 de febrero del corriente, LAMENTO INFORMARLES que "HOY" Miércoles 18 de febrero a las 10:17pm acabo de constatar en mi televisión en mi residencia en Canada, que el comercial NO HA SIDO REMOVIDO Y AUN SIGUE SIENDO MOSTRADO EN LOS CANALES CANADIENSES. Creo que la GlaxoSmithKline se le han dado muy buenas oportunidades de retractarse, pero ya veo que su intención no es más que seguirnos PERJUDICANDO como destino turístico. Se están burlando de nosotros! (Continúa)
Written by: Hessie, 19 Feb 2009 10:05 AM
From: Dominican Republic
A continuación link al comercial de TV (youtube) que acabo de grabar HOY miércoles 18 de febrero del 2009 a las 10:17pm en mi residencia en Canada:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T731s9z8Tg Muy atentamente,
Hessie V. González H.
Written by: generoso, 19 Feb 2009 10:18 AM
From: United States, DR
Thanks Hessie I had not viewed the ad.
It would actually be good PR for the DR if they would just remove and redo the audio portion so that it would not be finger pointing at just the DR, but at the disease itself and how to prevent it.
Written by: Hessie, 19 Feb 2009 10:24 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Generoso,
The thing is not about pointing at each other, it is about unreal facts and a country's tourism being affected by a negative and untrue campaign.
Written by: generoso, 19 Feb 2009 10:40 AM
From: United States, DR
Hessie
Correction, the facts of the ad are not "unreal" it is just the way the ad is structured makes it discriminatory because it mentions DR and not Canada, Antigua, or the rest of the Caribbean,
where the same conditions exist to acquire the disease. Do I make myself clearer now?
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
I am not so sure as a former resident of the Great White North it is ambiguous as whether it is negative .....imagine anyone who travels to exotic locales thinks the worst and would be hoping where ever they go would be as nice as the add and to be prepared ....if shown to a focus group of non Dominicans they would probably say it was a positive spin for the DR....everyone knows you get this anywhere HEP that is
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Let's sue the pharmaceutical bastards for slander and defamation.
We have good grounds to sue them at home right where it hurts and demand $$$$ reparations.
Let's not fall asleep on this Francisco Javier, we need the money for tourism promotion.
Sue the pharmaceutical companies, they have been sucking our blood for years, sue the bastards!
I want to DR to own part of GlaxoSmithKline, call the lawyers that specialize in this in Canada and get an opinion, NOW!
No peace for the wicked!
I have not seen the ad but if they halted the libelious campaign it was for a good reason.
Sue the bastards, and sue them good.
And for the persons that don't like it in DR and are always criticizing, complaining and fault finding Dominicans and things Dominican do us a favor, you can board the first plane and get the hell out!
I love my country and I love it the way it is. with all the s.it!
are not looking out for our best interests and want to harm us and our precious tourism any way they can, so they can benefit instead. It is called "competition" and not everyone plays by the rules.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=188303
Keep in mind, that these are the same Canadians that come to the RD and get robbed, injured or killed by Tigueres wanting to rob for a quick buck (instead of working). And the RD police do what? NOTHING!
The Canadians are less likely to forget than Americans all of the RD corruption in the RD Gov, Business world etc.
You would have to look very hard and repeatedly to find a Canadian jury or Judge who would award anything to the RD Gov (at an expense to their homeland). Even if the case were in the US not many well-informed Americans would side with the RD Gov (especially after they learn how APATHETIC the RD Gov is with its own citizens).
The truth will ruin the RD Gov case!
I am with you, " sue them into the Stone Age"
The ad itself is not the problem it is airing it without permission from the DR.
The fact that they pulled it so quick tells us their legal department said "oh Shit" who is responsible?
Warnings are one thing but profiting from them is another.
I took out the Skippy part , because that is a bad example..
The rest I stand by ,
I do believe it would have been in their best interests to indicate that people should be aware of the risk of Hepatitis not only all through the Caribbean but also through Africa, North America.. and in their own backyard such as Toronto or Montreal.
Like Forrest Gump says - "Thats all I have to say about that!"
The other countries that were specifically named should sue too in a class action suit.
You have to be very ignorant of marketing and what you can do or can not do to place and ad mentioning negative things about countries, that could hurt their tourism business and general investment climate.
It is like saying:
Warning: Be careful when you travel to Canada as the natives don't bathe and may smell bad and have skin diseases. Also they have been belligerent and intolerant and have invaded Iraq with the USA and caused many dead. So they could be potentially violent, might be deadly and harmful to your health.
Vaccinate yourselves against possible skin diseases to be always on the safe side.
And protect yourselves when border crossing or going out in dark places.
A public message of GlaxoSmithKline always looking out for number one!
"And for the persons that don't like it in DR and are always criticizing, complaining and fault finding Dominicans and things Dominican do us a favor, you can board the first plane and get the hell out!
I love my country and I love it the way it is. with all the s.it!"
What do you think? This could force Mr. Negative to leave us. Man, we are going to miss him!
GSK and the Canadians made a mistake and defamed us! Why didn't they also say:
“You can even get in places like the Dominican Republic AND CANADA" as well?
But they didn't. The UNQUESTIONABLE FACT is that they did mention the DR even if they did it in a cowardly and "by the way" mode.
The fact that is true or not has nothing to do with it. The US has periodic state department country reports that if you follow them to the letter you wouldn't travel to most countries but they don't publicize them in TV, radio, newspapers and magazines.
The DR MUST sue them and sue them quick, fast and for a lot of money if we ever going to be respected by any other countries so defamation does not reoccur in the future.
GSK made a mistake, and when you do you pay with jail, money or both.
L I B E L.
Apologies must be demanded as well as monetary compensation.
Next case!
For what reason are taking the side of the white Canadians against the Dominican Republic, a country that you post as your residence and has provided a warm hospitality and home for you?
Are we an inferior race?
Are we so stupid and dumb to believe the excuses you are posting for an unpardonable and image shattering "faux pas" by GSK.
Do you think there are blind people still in the DR that can be convinced with such empty defenses?
No sir, we are not so stupid and naive.
They made a mistake and we demand correctional measures taken, NOW.
I have read the ad and like I said before it was a mistake to have printed it and heads most roll.
No question about it, and no race card pulled, just facts.
To have an " I am right you are wrong because you are our hosts and you make money off of our tourists so be careful not to shake the boat" is not right either. Wrong is wrong plain as that.
And thanks for calling me "the great Generoso" I knew I had it in me and some day people were going to notice. LOL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T731s9z8Tg
Muy atentamente,
Hessie V. González H.
It would actually be good PR for the DR if they would just remove and redo the audio portion so that it would not be finger pointing at just the DR, but at the disease itself and how to prevent it.
The thing is not about pointing at each other, it is about unreal facts and a country's tourism being affected by a negative and untrue campaign.
Correction, the facts of the ad are not "unreal" it is just the way the ad is structured makes it discriminatory because it mentions DR and not Canada, Antigua, or the rest of the Caribbean,
where the same conditions exist to acquire the disease. Do I make myself clearer now?