In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration relaxed the rules for drug advertising on television and radio. Since that time, the airwaves have been flooded with commercials for all sorts of drugs. Some of them are vague, with a simple "Ask your doctor if drug x is right for you"; others spell out what the drug is used for and devote the commercial to telling you how much you will appreciate your product. Most consumers will probably assume that these commercials are honest, that the drugs will do what the ads say they will do, and that there are no side effects other than those mentioned in the ad. That may not be true, and consumers should be aware that the ads may not tell the whole story, and that they may be misleading.
The pharmaceutical industry spends $9 billion per year advertising their products, and the money they spend on television and radio ads is probably the most effective. Doctors may be skeptical of a product touted by a salesman, but consumers are easily swayed by television ads that show people living happy, productive lives while being treated for an ailment using the advertised product. Unfortunately, these ads may not be completely honest. In 2004, the FDA investigated thirty-six ads for drugs that the agency found to be misleading or incomplete in their descriptions of side effects. Consumers might think that the commercials must be honest, since the FDA wouldn't allow dishonest commercials to air. Unfortunately, that's not the case. The FDA does not require pharmaceutical companies to provide screening copies of their advertisements prior to airing. The FDA doesn't actually see the ads until the consumers do. Several months may pass before the FDA takes action. In the case of misleading advertising, the most the FDA can usually do is ask the companies to either stop running the ads or to change them. These requests aren't always timely, however. In the last five years, the FDA has asked the drug companies to stop running several ads that had already stopped running!
What this means for consumers is that some doubt should be exercised while viewing a commercial for a new drug. If you think an advertised product may be useful to you, discuss it with your physician, but ask if they know of any problems associated with the product. Research the product on the Internet. When your health is at stake, a little caution may be a good idea.
©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including Bextra-Info.net, a site devoted to the withdrawn drug Bextra and Vioxx.
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
(NC)-In most cases insect bites are harmless and if left... Read More
When you're in need, the quickest way is the best:... Read More
A time will come when our children's children will look... Read More
Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial,... Read More
An estimated 85 million Americans have acquired the herpes simplex... Read More
The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More
Your Remedy No. 1 ==============Stretch Gently for Strength and Mobility.When... Read More
Medical Billing PDAOne of the first things I notice about... Read More
Any teenager will tell you that acne can drive you... Read More
I have been swallowing three varieties of blood pressure pills... Read More
Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome is a debilitating and distressing condition, which... Read More
Purchasing drugs from a Mexican pharmacy is, for the most... Read More
When a health care professional uses lab coats it conveys... Read More
The unfortunate truth about medical errors is that they plague... Read More
At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable... Read More
Chemical dependency recovery provides with positive changes in reactions and... Read More
Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages,... Read More
Tendons are ropes of fibrous tissue that connect muscles to... Read More
What an oxymoron the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has... Read More
This year, the New York Medical Spa Expo confirmed the... Read More
A generic drug can be defined as an identical, or... Read More
We all know that there's no such thing as cheap... Read More
GET TO KNOW YOUR ARTHRITISArthritis is referred to as the... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition, but... Read More
Step One: The Big DecisionOne of the most frustrating things... Read More
Tumescent liposuction is done using a local aesthetic. A large... Read More
A neuroma is an inflamed nerve. In the foot, the... Read More
How Does Online Pharmacies Affect Pharmacy Leaders?With cheaper drugs made... Read More
Risperdal is an atypical anti-psychotic drug that balances the levels... Read More
Do you suffer from ulcers?If yes, what kind is it... Read More
If you ever go to cold countries, you should undoubtedly... Read More
Quality, dependable Medical Equipment is an important component of every... Read More
Recent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis... Read More
Irritable bowel syndrome can be a nightmare?constant diarrhea and terrible... Read More
We live in an age that demands an instant cure... Read More
How does a mind contemplate itself? That's a philosophical question... Read More
Pharmaceutical giant Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that they will... Read More
By now, you have probably heard of the prescription drug... Read More
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
When Aspirin Isn't EnoughIt's surprising how clearly we can recall... Read More
As any dialysis patient will tell you, keeping your fluid... Read More
I couldn't resist the title's corny riff on the name... Read More
Australian scientists say they have identified a toxin which plays... Read More
It was Saturday morning and while I was making breakfast,... Read More
Leading online pharmacy companies are providing consumer with a secure,... Read More
I have been swallowing three varieties of blood pressure pills... Read More
This report will give you 22 important tips to make... Read More
When Dorothy followed the yellow brick road, she was told... Read More
The patient, known only as John Doe, was difficult to... Read More
How Does Online Pharmacies Affect Pharmacy Leaders?With cheaper drugs made... Read More
What is R.I.C.E. and why do you need it? One... Read More
Rezulin, a prescription type 2 diabetes drug has been withdrawn... Read More
We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach... Read More
Hypnotherapy is one of the best known and most widely... Read More
As pointed out by *Jack Shapiro, an internationally-known healthcare marketing... Read More
Each year hospitals end up killing twice as many people... Read More
Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical... Read More
Marketing Authorisation: Medicinal Products The case of R (on the... Read More
A variety of options exist for hemorrhoid treatment including surgery,... Read More
If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),... Read More
Many eye doctors believed until recently that if a child's... Read More
"If you have to deal with chronic neck pain, it... Read More
GET TO KNOW YOUR ARTHRITISArthritis is referred to as the... Read More
Warning: This article is for information only and can not... Read More
Medicine |