Drug Ads Being Pulled
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I saw this story that claims pressure form law makers and doctors is forcing drug companies to stop advertising their drugs directly to consumers. I too have noticed that all kinds of magazines are now filled with advertisements directed to consumers to make them ask their doctor for the medication. I have seen some articles where doctors complain that patients make appointments just to ask for a prescription and get upset if the doctor does not think it necessary.
A couple of the comments are very interesting also. I wonder how much of the huge increase in profits for the pharmaceutical industry has come as a result of their 5 billion dollar a year advertising budget. Don’t we already get a sufficiently high dose of various medications from our drinking water? OK, bad joke, but still, don’t you think it should be up to doctors to discuss drug options with their patients without being forced to counter drug company advertising profits? Or is this another issue where we as consumers have a right to know as much information as possible in order to make more informed choices?
As always I am for full disclosure, but this issue has me conflicted. I am not sure that ads by drug companies trying to sell their products qualify as truthful disclosure. What do you think?
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