We Need To Ban Prescription Drug Commercials

AN EXCERPT FROM DR. WEIL'S NEWSLETTER ON OVER USE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS


A main engine behind this overuse is direct to consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical marketing (think of Sally Fields' Boniva commercials). In 2004, American drug companies spent nearly 25 percent of their sales revenues on promotion, versus only 13.4 percent for research and development.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers wouldn't invest so much money in TV commercials and advice to "ask your doctor" about a drug if it didn't pay off. In 2000, every $1 drug companies spent on DTC advertising yielded an additional $4.20 in sales.


Here's what's wrong with DTC ads:

1. They strengthen belief in pharmaceutical drugs as cure- all's, but no drug can overcome the consequences of poor lifestyle choices.
2. Many advertised drugs are ineffective and, worse, have serious side effects that frequently are played down (and occasionally concealed). But because of their enormous profit potential, these drugs may be sped to market without sufficient scientific scrutiny.
3. Ads circumvent better sources of health information. TV spots that trade on emotion and celebrity contribute little or nothing of value to patient education.

The free market works well in many ways but has failed us here. We need to go the route of the rest of the developed world and ban direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.