But more importantly, these drug companies have huge “advertising” budgets. When you make up the majority of the advertising dollars to a network, it almost guarantees that network will NOT report on any wrongdoing of those drug companies. It’s Big-Pharma’s way of silencing the media.
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The FDA should return to their pre-1997 policy of not allowing direct to consumer advertising of drugs on any platform (TV, web, magazines, mailers).
This bizarre behavior is not allowed in any other country of our size…
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It’s not only doctors that get kickbacks, medical institutions get them too - hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies… No more kickbacks, paid benefits from big pharma!
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I get the sentiment, but Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution gives zero power over this issue to the federal government. Further, the 1st Amendment forbids the federal government from abridging the freedom of speech, which is what commercials are. Give the government the authority to censor, and it will be abused even worse than is currently happening.
Lol the lack of reading comprehension and research here is astounding.
It’s a whole thing, actually. Nobody is saying the hospital doesn’t have a hand in it…at all, but nobody even brought up the hospital either except you. It is not 2 separate issues when the OP is specifically talking about patients BEING AWARE if a DR is getting incentives to prescribe medications and push them on their patients. You’re arguing about nonsense for no real reason, and also completely unaware of what you’re even talking about.
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If you can’t even see the problem with telling the general population they are sick and to beg doctors for meds they most likely don’t even need…boy oh boy. There’s a reason it’s not a thing done in almost all countries across the world.
Big pharma should not be allowed to advertise directly to consumers. & transparency should be paramount! Repeal the 1996 Law that Clinton passed allowing it. Undue 2012’s proaganda allowanca Obama did as well. & most importantly repeal the 1986 Childhood Vaccine Injury Act removing liabilities from manufacturers. No more pay to slay.
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Do away with Pharmaceuticals entirely.
Nonsense, pharmaceuticals save lives.
Please check out this policy suggestion:
The Responsible Pharmaceutical Advertising Act of 2024
Objective:
To prohibit direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs and medical devices across the United States in order to prioritize public health, ensure accurate medical information, and promote trust in healthcare providers. The policy seeks to limit the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on consumer health choices, reduce medication overuse, and encourage evidence-based decision-making in the healthcare system.
Background:
The United States is one of only two countries globally (alongside New Zealand) that allows direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. This practice has contributed to the overprescription of medications, the medicalization of normal life experiences, and the propagation of misleading health information. The aim of this policy is to realign pharmaceutical communication with public health goals, reduce healthcare costs, and promote a culture of informed, medically guided decision-making.
Policy Rationale:
Pharmaceutical advertising can distort the patient-provider relationship, leading to increased demand for high-cost medications, sometimes without a comprehensive understanding of potential side effects. Studies show that these advertisements often focus more on benefits than on risks and can encourage the unnecessary use of drugs. By banning DTC advertising, the policy will refocus health communication on safety, efficacy, and necessity rather than on market-driven consumption.
Key Provisions:
- Prohibition on Direct-to-Consumer Advertising:
- All forms of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs and medical devices will be banned across all media platforms, including:
- Television
- Radio
- Print (newspapers, magazines, etc.)
- Digital and social media (including websites, search engines, and social media platforms)
- Outdoor advertising (billboards, posters, public transport ads)
- Restrictions on Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices:
- Prohibit pharmaceutical companies from using patient testimonials or celebrity endorsements in any remaining educational content aimed at healthcare professionals.
- Prohibit marketing strategies that include providing free samples to patients directly (samples can only be provided to healthcare providers for professional evaluation).
- Exemptions and Permitted Activities:
- Educational Materials: Non-promotional educational materials about health conditions, disease prevention, and general wellness are permitted, provided they are free from brand mentions or drug promotion.
- Scientific Publications and Healthcare Provider Resources: Advertising in peer-reviewed scientific journals and resources aimed specifically at healthcare professionals will remain permitted, as long as they meet stringent standards for accuracy and balanced information.
- Strengthening Patient-Provider Communication:
- Encourage healthcare providers to adopt a shared decision-making model, where doctors and patients discuss treatment options based on evidence, rather than external marketing pressures.
- Provide federal funding for public health campaigns that promote rational drug use and emphasize lifestyle and non-pharmaceutical interventions when appropriate.
- Implementation Mechanisms:
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), will oversee the enforcement of this policy.
- Penalties for violation will include fines proportional to the size of the company and the reach of the offending advertisement, escalating with repeated violations.
- Establish a public reporting mechanism for illegal advertising to ensure accountability and community involvement.
- Transitional Period:
- The policy will be implemented over a 2-year transition period to allow companies to phase out existing advertising contracts and adjust their marketing strategies.
- During this period, pharmaceutical companies must submit quarterly reports on their compliance efforts and planned shifts in communication strategies.
Expected Outcomes:
- Public Health Benefits:
- Reduced medication overuse and associated adverse effects.
- Enhanced trust in healthcare providers as the primary source of medical guidance.
- Improved patient health literacy through unbiased educational initiatives.
- Economic Impact:
- Lower healthcare costs resulting from reduced demand for expensive, branded medications.
- Reduction in healthcare spending on unnecessary prescriptions.
- Cultural and Social Impact:
- Shift in societal attitudes toward valuing holistic health approaches and informed decision-making.
- Reduced pressure on individuals to seek pharmaceutical solutions for conditions that may not require drug intervention.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- An independent Pharmaceutical Advertising Oversight Committee will be established to assess the impact of the policy, analyze compliance data, and report to Congress annually.
- Metrics for evaluation will include trends in prescription drug usage, shifts in patient behavior, and overall public health outcomes.
- The policy will be subject to a comprehensive review at the 5-year mark to assess its efficacy and make adjustments if necessary.
Conclusion:
The Responsible Pharmaceutical Advertising Act will place the United States at the forefront of global health policy reform, prioritizing public health, patient safety, and healthcare integrity over profit-driven marketing. This policy aims to build a healthier, better-informed society that makes medical decisions based on the best available evidence, fostering a culture of trust and transparency in healthcare.
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Strongly in favor of forbidding TV drug commercials
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Yeeessss i can’t stand these commercials especially the vaccine ones
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Absolutely
Agee
Yes there should be a regulation placed on these pharma reps from buying doctors to write their prescription drugs. The amount of money this whole system makes is sickening.
I think you have two different ideas here and you should separate them and write them up as such. I absolutely agree with both but they should be listed separately according to the instructions I read when I logged in.
I think all advertising of pharmaceuticals, including liquor and tobacco, should be banned from advertising anywhere. I don’t think it is anyone’s business how much a doctor makes, but eliminating drugs from the market would stop the problem of writing prescription for the sole purpose of making money. Doctors should also be retrained in the concepts of good health through nutrition, diet, etc., and get away from the use of drugs to solve a problem. As the director of the CDC said in front of congress, no drug or vaccine has EVER been created that solved or eliminated a problem, disease or issue. Yes, this is much more complicated and requires some intense rewriting of history.
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Pharmaceutical companies are not allowed to advertise in other countries, why here? Oh yeah politicians are all bought by pharmaceutical companies. This definitely needs to stop.
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I agree, big pharmaceutical companies spend now 14% of their profits on advertising. They could reduce drug prices across the board if they couldn’t advertise, or use that money for medical research that actually helps people!
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Pick a day, ANY DAY. from the hours of 3 P.M. to 12 Midnight. Then in ONE HOUR, count the number of DRUGS advertised. Some channels more than others, it depends on the target audience of course. IT IS NUTS the amount of time in an HOUR promoting DRUGS with VERY SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS AND DEATH. It’s disgusting and wrong!!! Especially for the Hypochondriacs who are so easily influenced and create the illness in their mind and then waste time at a doctor. These promotions should be between the patient and doctor ONLY.
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