Drug Advertising: Enough to Make You Sick
By Sal Monela
You sit down to breakfast and turn on one of those morning network “news” programs to find out what is going on. On one of the frequent breaks, you are treated to a drug commercial where the sufferer tells you how his bowel movements feel like bricks. In another ad, the person experiencing a different malady discusses her frequent diarrhea and how the product being sold provided a miracle cure. Then, a lovely 40 something sitting on her bed, encourages you to pop a pill and enjoy perfect sex. Just watch out for those 4+ hour erections which will send you to the emergency room. By this time, you have completely lost your appetite and head off to work undernourished (there is a product for that too).
In the February 28 edition of the New York Times, correspondent Elisabeth Rosenthal writes about the drug industry’s increasing use of advertising to promote expensive (and often unnecessary) drugs and treatments.
“Drug companies, which once focused on promoting products like painkillers that might be prescribed to millions, now advertise costly niche medicines that might be prescribed to thousands… The health care industry spent $14 billion on advertising in 2014, according to Kanter Media, a jump of over 40% since 2011.”
“Advertisers tend to drive patients to the latest expensive treatments and patented drugs. The four drugs promoted on ’60 Minutes’ included a new heart failure medication called Entresto ($390-450 per month) Pardaxa, a blood thinner ($350-$450); Orencia, for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis ($3500-$3800); and Lyrica ($350-$450) for foot pain associated with longtime diabetes. All four, which may be partly or entirely covered by insurance, treat conditions for which there are generic drugs that cost a tiny fraction of the price.”
A few years ago, it seemed that ads for a drug to treat an imaginary condition called “Low T” were everywhere (There are a few men who suffer from seriously low testosterone but this is a very rare condition). Men were encouraged to ask their doctors about this drug which promised to improve libido, increase energy and fix many of those problems caused by the natural process of aging. In other words it was supposed to function like a fountain of youth. Problem was that some researchers discovered that persons using this treatment in one of the age groups targeted by the marketers experienced an increase in heart problems. The ads and the condition disappeared overnight once that information became public.
So if you have a medical problem talk to your doctor. Just don’t mention what you saw on TV, because your physician is more likely to prescribe it. Rely on his or her judgement and chances are they will direct you to something that is much cheaper and equally effective. Perhaps if everyone does this we can all watch morning news and enjoy our breakfast.
Sal spent most of his life working in various capacities for local governments in Oregon. He has degrees from both Oregon State and the University of Oregon in Political Science and Public Administration. Sal retired in 2010 and now lives in Washington State where he spends his days hiking, traveling, and spending way too much time reading political and social commentary.
