Drug Ads
Dancing, biking, singing patients? The FDA needs to do more to crack down on misleading claims - Elisabeth Rosenthal

image by: Laurie Akamom Ostergaard-Overbey
HWN Suggests
Are Drug Ads Making You Sick?
You’ve seen this ad before, I’m sure. On your screen, you witness people cavorting with each other as if this was the best day of their lives. Sometimes it’s a backyard party scene with steaks sizzling on the barbecue. It could be beautiful people splashing joyously in a swimming pool while one of them delivers a massive cannonball to everyone’s delight. There could be revelers soaring up in the sky in a hot air balloon or maybe just parachute gliding across a cloudless sky. Maybe they are soaking in the sunshine on an exotic beach or kicking up their heels on a crowded ballroom dance floor. One thing is for sure: these are good times. Then along comes the buzzkill.
Resources
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Wants to Ban Drug Ads on TV. It Wouldn’t Be Easy.
Attempts to restrict pharmaceutical advertisements have failed many times over the years, often on First Amendment grounds.
Those breezy TV drug ads? Take ’em with a grain of salt
We’ve all seen the commercials. People relaxed, smiling, and having fun with friends and family despite having a horrible or uncomfortable — or at least chronic — condition. Their new lease on life comes courtesy of a drug. Then the fine print. Roll the list of potential side effects, some of which seem worse than the malady itself. So why are the spots so popular with sponsors? Because they’re so effective — at least in terms of sales.
Are TV Drug Ads Bad For Your Health?
TV drug ads are a hot button issue for many people. Over the past few months, I have been giving lectures about Pharma & Profits, and usually at least one audience member will complain that these ads are offensive and should be taken off the air. Furthermore, people believe that these drug ads drive up the cost of medicines and also have the mistaken view that more is spent on advertising than on R&D.
Column: TV commercials for prescription drugs ‘doing more harm than good’
There are few more brazen examples of healthcare practices that put industry profits ahead of patient interests than hawking prescription drugs in cheerful, 60-second TV commercials. It’s such a surefire recipe for misinformation and manipulation that nearly every developed country forbids the practice. Only the United States and New Zealand say it’s OK.
Do drug ads make you cringe? Should they be allowed? Debate follows Super Bowl commercials seen by millions
Television audiences may recall the “O, O, O, O-zem-pic” jingle or how erectile dysfunction can be treated with two bathtubs on a scenic cliff. If so, it’s a pretty good sign you’re either an American or a Kiwi — as only the United States and New Zealand allow drugmakers to advertise directly to consumers. But as drug advertisements expand to the recent Super Bowl and ever-wider (and sometimes confused) audiences, Northeastern University experts debate whether such advertisements should be allowed.
Prescription drug ads should soon start looking noticeably different
A new chapter in drug advertising begins Monday when a federal transparency rule takes effect requiring commercials to clearly spell out potential side effects and when a person should avoid the medicine.
The 4 main reasons people hate drug ads
Aside from the number of ads, many people are also dissatisfied with the repetition of the same ads. "SURELY there is a limit to how many commercials and drug ads can be run…and re-run during a 24-hour period," wrote someone from Florida.
The bizarre Americanness of prescription drug commercials
Before you’d heard of Ozempic, constant TV ads made sure you knew the Ozempic song.
The untold story of TV’s first prescription drug ad
Liz Moench thought it was obvious. During her job interview with Boots Pharmaceuticals in 1981, at its Shreveport, La., offices, the 23-year-old Moench asked company president John Bryer to describe the drug maker’s main customers. “Doctors,” Bryer said.
Think You’re Seeing More Drug Ads on TV? You Are, and Here’s Why
Swelling of legs, hands and feet; capillary leak syndrome; fever; muscle pain; unusual bruising; dizziness, blurry vision; rash; hives; blisters; nervous system and blood disorders; lymphoma; swollen tongue; dry mouth; weight gain; inability to fight infections; nausea, diarrhea; constipation; depression; dehydration; suicidal thoughts. Oh, and death.
This Is Your Brain On Drug Ads
I think it's clear that we are using more medicine because of direct consumer advertising. And in fact, that's what it's designed to do.
What 20 years of drug commercials are doing to Americans’ health
The American Medical Association wants the FDA to ban prescription drug commercials, which have been ubiquitous on American television since the late 1990s.
What’s the deal with all those ominous prescription drug ads on TV? And who’s paying for them?
In recent months ominous ads about prescription drugs have flooded the TV airwaves. Perhaps by design, it’s not always clear who’s sponsoring the ads or why. Or, for that matter, why now?
Why People Are Seeing More Ads for Drugs on TV
Have you noticed recently that you are seeing more commercials for prescription medications while watching television or streaming services? According to a recent article in The New York Times, it is not your imagination.
Why There Are More Drug TV Commercials
The modern consumer is increasingly health-conscious and proactive about managing their health. This shift in consumer behavior has led to a greater demand for information about medical treatments and pharmaceuticals. Drug commercials cater to this demand by providing information about treatment options for various conditions, thus playing a role in educating the public.
With TV Drug Ads, Don’t Believe Your Eyes
Dancing, biking, singing patients? The FDA needs to do more to crack down on misleading claims.
With TV Drug Ads, What You See Is Not Necessarily What You Get
Drug ads have been ubiquitous on TV since the late 1990s and have spilled onto the internet and social media. The United States and New Zealand are the only countries that legally allow direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. (The European Union was furious when Lady Gaga’s Instagram post promoting the migraine drug was visible on the continent, noting it flagrantly violated its ban on direct-to-consumer advertising.)
Are Drug Ads Making You Sick?
Our airwaves and internet are being infiltrated by ads for dozens upon dozens of new drugs that promise the consumer a relief from a variety of afflictions. Whether it’s Semglee or Rezvoglar for diabetes, Inflectra or Renflexis for autoimmune diseases, Skyrizi or Humira for psoriasis, or Wegovy and Ozempic for weight loss, these once-a-week injectable biologics (or more affordable biosimilars) or Glucagon-like peptides are quickly worming their way into the “direct to the consumer” market.

Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.