TV Commericals

[vander942]

OTOH,  we can all READ and most of us know where/how to get such information if we want it!

[sandthiggins]

I think they're very harmful.

Most of us are not knowledgeable enough to determine if these drugs are applicable to our health situation or if there is an alternative that would work as well.  That's what doctors are for.  

The pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars to recoup the millions of dollars they've spent on research, developing and promoting these drugs by advertising and giving samples to our doctors.  Then when our doctor gives us samples of a new medication that really works well, we find out that these new drugs are not covered by insurance. The last one I received would have cost me $379 per month.  Since we in the United States, pay more for these meds, why do we alone have to pay for these upfront costs?  

[evangelineq772726]

YES...THEY ARE BEING TARGATED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BABY BOOMERS SINCE A LARGE MAJORITY OF US ARE RETIRED, 65-71, WILL LIVE LONGER THAN OUR ANCESTORS...AND ARE IN A BETTER EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC PLACE TO AFFORD THE MEDS. THESE COMMERCIALS ARE 'MAKING ME SICK' OF HEARING THEM, AND THEY TAKE AWAY GOOD  PROGRAMMING TIME (SPONSORS, LISTENING)?. AS SOMEONE ABOVE SAID...SOME OF THOSE MEDS MAY KILL YA!

[mpasco]

I agree that the TV commercials run up the cost of drugs unnessesarily.

It is important to note that doctors get very scant education about pharmaceuticals during their schooling and usually only know what they can pull up on their epad and what the sales people tell them,

Before you agree to any of the medications with known severe side effects, the best place to get advice is from you phamacist.  They will know vstly more than your doctor about side effects, interactikons, etc.

[cb56024357]

It's interesting that all the intelligent responses have negative opinions on drug ads.  Not only do they drive up our costs significantly, they really are not informative at all.  Big pharma is counting on patients to recognize drug names and think that they are somehow better.   I feel the same about print ads in newspapers and magazines.   I doubt anyone reads then but it does drive up our costs.

[m837574s]

When I being entertained I don't want to see any advertising, but it has to be paid for so we record the majority to watch at our leisure. It would be great if all drug advertising could be banned and manufacturers put back the costs into reducing prices. I'm sure that many doctors would agree that patients should not be subjected to none stop ill advised targeting resulting in unnecessary time wasting visits to see and reassure them of problems that don't exist.

[st224]

I hate them; let the doctors and pharmacy instruct you about new meds.  Many people will not even consider taking a medicine that woudl be beneficial for them because of what they hear about meds on tv.  That is a conversation that needs to come from your physician.

I am so sick of seeing commercials for Viagra and other meds for erectile dysfunction; I should not have to have a converstiaon with my grandchildren about these types of meds!!

[elizabethp991580]

I have absolutely no doubt that commercials for prescription medicines should be banned again for any number of reasons. The -only- thing I like in them is the list of side effects and the ever present possibility of death. Why would anyone who listens to these want to take any of these meds? *shudders* Then there are the ads from lawyers to sue those pharmaceutical companies. Yay.

[carol7g]

I find them annoying and feel that drug companies are using them to promote newer, more expensive medictions. These ads are quite slick and aimed at getting consumers to request these medications from their physicians. Many of these medications are in the higher tiers of drug formularies and have very high co pays and/or require prior authorization. In many instances there are less expensive/generic alternatives available. 

[active43]

So true!