Poor Dr. Jarvik can't row.

He invented the Jarvik artificial heart and went on to become (in)famous in Pfizer's Lipitor commercials.

But he can't row, according to New York Times. I have to admit that's like saying someone can't swim. How hard could it be?

A newsletter published by the Lake Washington Rowing Club in Seattle describes how one of its rowers was a stunt double in the ad for Dr. Jarvik. The sculler, a professional photographer and rowing enthusiast named Dennis Williams, was picked partly for his size and partly because, like Dr. Jarvik, he has a receding hairline, according to the newsletter.

“In the case of a physician of significant reputation and renown, and Jarvik is well known for his artificial heart, I think it’s sending a rather dishonest message — that, he himself taking Lipitor is healthy enough to row up and down whatever stream he was rowing,” Dr. Triggle said. “Since he used a body double, that’s dishonesty.”

So now we know the truth. Dr. Jarvik is not only not a licensed physician, he also can't row. And this is first-page news in the New York Times.

BrandweekNRX is utterly shocked at the deception and proposes banning all non-rowers from rowing in commercials.

If we can row, so should Dr. Jarvik.

Dr. Rost is a litigation consultant and pharmaceutical marketing expert. He is also the author of Killer Drug and The Whistleblower.