television viewers see as many as 16 hours of prescription drug advertisements each year

[The Straight Story]

Drugs ads have some benefit, but risky too


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Direct-to-consumer advertising of drugs offers some benefits but also has significant risks that can be magnified, U.S. researchers said.

"American television viewers see as many as 16 hours of prescription drug advertisements each year, and the reality is that these ads are not doing a good job of helping consumers make better decisions about their health," lead author Dominick L. Frosch of the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement. "If the pharmaceutical industry isn't willing to change the ads to make them more useful to consumers, Congress should consider passing legislation that will regulate the ads to improve the information provided in order to help patients make more informed choices."

Frosch and his colleagues confirmed there are some benefits to drug ads, but they are limited and can be improved. The majority of ads fail to provide enough information to allow consumers to identify clearly whether the advertised drug is right for them.

Over-dramatization and emotional portrayal of a drug's benefits can be misleading to consumers, while messages about its risks are often diluted by contradictory imagery.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/16/Drugs-ads-have-some-benefit-but-risky-too/UPI-10121258354104/

[Quantess]

1. 16 hours of your life you'll NEVER GET BACK!

We're a bunch of glowing-screen worshiping zombies.

[elleng]

2. and especially don't inform that DRUG PRICES ARE INCREASING NOW!

[glowing]

3. 1/2 of which are advertising about erections; or lack there of.

[bergie321]

4. Which provide a valuable service.

We all now know the dangers of priapism.

[BenThere]

5. re: 1/2 of which are advertising about erections

so true

[glowing]

7. either that; or about being really clean.. Why are those people in 2 bath tubs?

Isn't the action about being in one together?

[Xipe Totec]

8. The other 1/2 is Cymbalta,

For those who are depressed by erectile dysfunction commercials.

[azurnoir]

6. oh yeah I see those aderts

for the most part once their done listing off the side effects i am left asking "now why would I be taking this again?"

[barbtries]

9. another reason i'm glad i don't watch tv

when i do happen to be near one of the drug commercials i'm always struck by the long list of disclaimers following any one of the ads. it's like fuck that drug, i'm safer without it.

[era veteran]

10. 6 to 8 sales reps for every MD too

They cover all the bases, too bad they can't make vaccines.

[malaise]

11. If they watch Lifetime Channel

they probably see a lot more than 16 hours a year.
I have a cousin who visits once and year and thrives on that channel. Never have I seen more ads for drugs in my life.
Why anyone would take any of those drugs after listening to the side effects is mind blowing in and of itself.
Carlin has the best take on big pharma's ads.

[InkAddict]

12. I luvs my DVR and the fast-forward option n/t

[KharmaTrain]

13. It's Not Aimed At Consumers, But At Doctors...

Before these ads were permitted on television, the money was spent on going directly after doctors. When I cleared out my father's medical practice, I found boxes of premiums and other goodies from the medical company with the name of this RX drug or another...all to get name recognition in hopes that he'd presecribe those drugs over a generic or other alternative. I still can see the big pharma salespeople coming into the office with this presentation or that one. It's all about getting the product name out. Now if the doctor hears from a patient, that's just another form of advertising pressure.

I'd be dubious about any physician who simply prescribes many of these advertised drugs...especially in these days when patients are stuck paying a lion's share of the costs. There's also the push by big pharma to use their patents and copyrights to make back all their R & D expenses (many that are subsidized by colleges and government "loans") and its worth the millions in advertising to get a name drug into their heads and use.

This is a part of major healthcare expenses that really isn't being addressed by the current reform...just too many dragons for this administration to go after if they hope to get any bill passed, but an area that will need to if costs are to be brought into line.

[MineralMan]

14. Boner Drugs, Bone Loss Drugs, and Poor Me drugs.

That's the lineup, basically. Add in the Heart Attack scare ads, and you have it all.

Hey, Kids! Ask your Doctor about our medicine. He likes it a lot. Help him earn a trip to the Bahamas!