Reply #91: Third!

[FloridaJudy]

Do we really need ads for a substance that causes that much social harm? We got rid of the cigarette ads. We should apply the same logic to alcohol.

And I want all prescription drug adds gone. I work in the medical field, and the number of patients coming in and demanding such-and-such a drug because they'd seen some feel-good ad is unbelievable. It might not be the right drug: it may be a problem that doesn't need a drug at all, but a life-style change, which is a heckuvalot harder on both patient and practitioner than popping a pill. Helping someone lose weight, start exercising, eat better, quit smoking/drinking, address mental health problems, practice safer sex, etc. takes a lot more time and energy than just writing a prescription. Medications have their place in all these issues, but the drug advertising promises easy answers to complex problems that they can't deliver.

Edwards' proposal is a good start. The serious drawbacks to many drugs don't show up until they've been used for a few years (see Vioxx, PhenFen, Avandia, Procrit, Prempro, ad nauseum). Advertising new drugs would at least limit the damage.

edited for spelling