Throwing in the towel and retreating

Jun/17/2008 03:32
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If you believe that DTC serves a purpose, to inform patients and consumers about treatment options and be proactive in their healthcare choices, than the agreement of some drug makers to limit DTC for new products for six months after approval is a copout and stinks of executives who are not willing to walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to DTC. This is a bad agreement for everyone but perhaps the biggest losers in this agreement are consumers.

Forget the fact for a moment that Congress has better things to worry about than DTC ads on TV, Ad Age reported that “under pressure from Washington, top drug makers including Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer are agreeing a six-month moratorium on advertising new drugs to consumers and will limit how doctors are used in their ads.” Under pressure? How about fighting for what you believe is right or doesn’t that matter anymore.

Of course the two Congressman who wanted this legislation are from Michigan and Pfizer closed down a huge facility in Michigan..no relation I am sure (NOT!). The real losers here are patients and consumers who need to know about new treatment options that could help maintain the quality of life and prevent some horrible diseases. In addition it gives drugs, already on the market, an addition of six months of exclusivity.


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DTC TV ads are only trusted by 5% of US Adult Internet users



Prevention Magazine has continually rolled out study after study that shows that DTC ads make people aware of medical conditions and allows them to be more proactive in their health choices. Congress would have you believe that people see DTC commercials and like mindless robots they go to their doctors to ask for an Rx when this simply isn’t true. They talk to their doctors, pharmacists and go online to learn more about these medications.

I am surprised and saddened that Pfizer, Merck and J&J would agree to this self imposed moratorium. It’s just plain wrong and restricts free trade and advertising in this country. We don’t need to be protected from the drug companies we need to know that once drugs are approved they are safe and effective based upon credible data that was submitted to the FDA.

Shame on Mr Dingel & Mr Stupak !

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