Throwing in the towel and retreating
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.
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 !