Pharmaceutical Advertising [View all]

[yellowwoodII]

We know that pharmaceuticals in the United States are overpriced compared with other countries.

I can't help but think that some of it is due to the overwhelming presence of expensive pharmaceutical ads on TV. Besides the fact that the PATiENT should not be asking for drugs without the expertise to know what he is asking for. We should expect that the doctor knows what to prescribe.

TV ads are tricky. Note the use of language. "You might even lose a little weight." "Death has happened." (Passive voice suggests that the drug has no agency.)

Drug companies should not be giving perks to doctors (Dollars for Docs) Look it up at Propublica.

Drugs are overprescribed as a first resort when other non-drug cures could be more effective. They have side-effects. Then the side-effects are counteracted by other drugs. Patients become walking chemical labs.


That's how I really feel