Things That Ought To Be Done Right Now...Ban Prescription Drug Advertising

[babylonsister]

Things That Ought To Be Done Right Now... the first in a series... Ban Prescription Drug Advertising
June 24, 2009, 10:00AM


I think we can get a broad consensus on the question of whether or not there are a number of things that are unnecessary or just downright stupid that go on in this country and that ought to be changed, fixed, altered or otherwise done away with. In fact, I'd say most, if not all, Americans would agree there are numerous such things. But for some reason, these crazy, stupid, pointless, unproductive things are allowed to continue. This post is intended as the first in an ongoing series of posts designed to focus on matters where we ought to be able to do something right now that would remedy the situation, improve our country and our lives. Hopefully, the series will, at minimum, provide some real food for thought, if not inspire people to try and actually do something about some of these things.

For the inaugural post I have chosen the weird, relatively recently introduced, and IMHO insane practice of advertising prescription drugs to the general public. You know, pushing drugs on people whether or not they need them... for the sake of profit.

None of us can escape advertising in this country of ours, but one of the most pernicious forms of it (if not the most pernicious) has only sprung up in recent years and is increasing exponentially as the unrestrained greed of the drug companies becomes more and more manic and the fight for market share becomes more and more difficult and savage. Everyone who has been awake in the past decade knows what I'm talking about here. Everyone I have ever spoken to considers these ads, as I do, unnecessary, strange, often offensive, almost always absurd, and sometimes outrageous. The comical effect of the disclaimers at the end of the ads only demonstrates how utterly moronic this practice truly is.

For those not paying close attention or who never watch television or listen to the radio, it used to be that prescription drugs were never advertised to the general public. Prescription drugs were marketed to physicians so they would be aware of the latest advancements, etc... This still goes on and is a realm filled with ethical potholes and danger but that is not our topic. Somewhere along the way, and of course in pursuit of the ultimate holy of holies---greater profit, it was decided to let drug companies start advertising prescription drugs to the public just like any other product. I'm not ancient, but neither am I spring chicken (apologies to Bwak), but when I was growing up the most annoying/problematic "drug" advertising were the commercials for over the counter laxatives or "feminine" products that seemed always to be on right at dinnertime. Things have changed considerably in the past 10 years or so.

Now, we have ads for prescription drugs for every possible malady from Alzheimer's disease, to high cholesterol, to the ubiquitous, infamous and feared.... (cue scary music) "ED". In short, prescription drug advertising, used as simply yet another outlet for the ends of capitalist profit worship is totally out of hand and needs to be put to a stop.

Let's be clear and not fool anyone including ourselves about this. The sole purpose of these ads is to create markets where none previously existed or to exploit a previously untapped or undersold market to the fullest. This is done for one reason and one reason only and that is to boost drug company profits. None of these ads, that's correct not a single one of these ads, has anything to do with benefiting the people these drugs are being marketed to. If the drugs happen to benefit some people that's fine with the drug boys but it isn't the point by any means.

more...

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/oleeb/2009/06/things-that-ought-to-be-done-r.php?ref=fpd

[Psychic Consortium]

1. Yes. nt

[sharesunited]

2. Except the music used for ED isn't scary.

It's Elvis Presley. Viva Viagra!

Yes there is such a thing as too much freedom in a free market.

Regulate please.

[godai]

3. New Zealand is the only other country in the world to permit this.

There are only two countries in the industrialized world that permit this sort of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs: The United States and New Zealand. The European Union expressly forbids this kind of promotion.

Congress recently contemplated restrictions on such drug ads. Legislators considered giving the FDA power to restrict advertising for drugs that have serious safety concerns.

They were encouraged to do so by a report issued last year by the prestigious Institute of Medicine. The scientists recommended that the FDA should require a special warning symbol for new medications during their first two years on the market and prohibit DTC promotion during that time.

Instead of beefing up oversight, though, Congress only gave the FDA the right to review ads before they are aired. The agency can make recommendations for changes, but has no authority to actually require ad agencies to redo commercials.

What happened on the way to the big vote? Pharmaceutical companies, advertising agencies and media lobbyists all objected to tougher regulations on drug ads. More than $5 billion was spent on prescription drug advertising in 2006.

Television broadcasters and magazine publishers have come to rely on this revenue. According to the Wall Street Journal, pharmaceuticals were the 10th biggest advertiser in 2006 and growing fast. Nobody wants to kill or even slow down the goose that is laying so many golden eggs.

The media lobby worked hard to convince Congressmen that drug ads provide valuable information for consumers. They also portrayed commercials on TV as a free speech issue. Under such lobbying pressure, legislators caved.

One reason the pharmaceutical industry keeps spending so much on advertising to consumers is that it works. People who see ads for Vytorin to lower cholesterol, Lunesta to counter insomnia and Boniva to build bones often ask their doctors for a prescription.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2007/10/15/congress-caves/