TV Commericals

[angeleyes64]

I said the same thing to my Grand Daughter, that I never saw so many medicines and medical products on TV. They weren't on like this when I was young, so she said maybe it's because it's I'm older now. I said I don't think so !!

[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!

[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.

[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. 

[gina77]

I have several issues with these commercials. One is the way that they gloss over the potential side effects, like strokes, cancer, death, etc. are just minor annoyances. Truely appalling!

Speaking of side effects, these ads are typically for drugs that are relatively new. Since clincal trials take place for a limited period of time with a limited number of participants, the real effects of drugs (both good and bad) are not really known until they have been on the market for at least 10 years. Requesting one of these drugs when they are new to the market essentially makes you a guinea pig. Now, if you have a terminal illness, you might be willing to accept the risk, but many of these drugs are not cancer drugs.

Another issue I have is that they always say "ask your doctor about x drug" There are thousands of drugs on the market. Doctors do not have the time to learn about all of them. All doctors really know is what their pharmaceutical sales rep tells them. And, the sales rep is just out to make a sale so they can get their commission.

[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!!

[rachel27]

A friend from South America noted that half of our commercials were for drugs and the other half for lawyers suing drug companies.

[active43]

So true! 

[DavidB1974]

I was a pharmacist before becoming a hospital administrator for forty years.  Many of the comments about this article are right on!  The pharmaceutical industry has politically bought the right to advertise and the hugh sums they spend on ads must be working.  Other countries don't allow this kind ot self-promotion, nor do they have the very high costs of medications.  I feel for those who have healthcare issues these drug ads are aimed at, but this is simply urging patients to tell their physician what they want, instead of allowing healthcare providers to discuss treatment options and, together with the patient, deciding on a treatment course.  Want to do something?  Discuss with your representatives in Congress, tell them they shouldn't be accepting Big Pharma campaign money.  And mute those ads, like I do.

[bonin100]

One of the reason we don't watch commercial tv anymore

[ssbeagle]

I hate all those commercials for drugs.  They are exceedingly expensive and have too many bad side effects.  If I need to see my doctor, he/she should know what I need.  If drug companies didn’t waste so much in advertising, our drug costs could be lower and more affordable.  It’s doctors they need to market to, not us.  Does anyone notice that there are more drug ads during the evening news programs than any other programs?  That’s because older people watch the news more than younger ones.  It seems like that to me.

[m58908p]

I don't like them for all the reasons everyone is saying. I find them distasteful and stressful. 

[oldmil56]

After watching so many TV commercials for new drugs, I don't want to take any drugs, new or old.  Does everyone pay close attention to the WARNINGS ?  And SIDE EFFECTS ?  Why would anyone take any of these drugs.  I know there are many conditions that warrant taking drugs and many people are greatful for some relief. But it seems like some would be trading one condition in for two new ones ! And then there are the Lawyer commercials (although not selling Drugs) telling you if you have taken drug ABC and experienced this, that or the other thing, including DEATH, call XYZ Law firm because you may be eligible for a cash settlement !  It's like take the drugs and spin the wheel. In the long run, what are we supposed to do?  And remember "The benefits outweigh the risks...."

[sylviao431179]

I find that doctors are prescribing medicines advertised on TV more and more frequently.  When I ask for a generic at the pharmacy the cost of the generic  is often considerably lower, that is, when a generic is available.

I do understand that the phamaceutical companies need to recoup some of the money that is invested in research, but I really do think that wasting money on mindless commercials is a bad idea.  By the way, has anyone noticed that all the commercials, for whatever medicines are being advertised, look exactly the same?  

[ja59866998]

Drug ad cost was at 5.4 Billion dollars at the end of 2016 and has risen since. Over 800,000 ads were placed in 2017. Why are the ads allowed on the air other than pharmacutical lobbying ( over 240 Million spent at the end of 2016) and the money in political pockets. This information should be given by your physician when he feels that particular drug is necessary. All the ads do is promote an unhealthy mindset of "This is what I need next". Then some will run to their physician and ask for the latest and greatest. Put trhat 5.4 Billion dollars back in the consumers pocket and improve the lives of those truly needing the help.Drain the swamp....right...not when the alligators are in charge.

[mf26859195]

I find the advertising for drugs very troubling.  Doctors are educated in medical school.  Many peple see these commercials, listen to the reason for taking a medication, self-diagnose themselves and ask a doctor to prescribe a particlilar drug for them.  I would be wary of any doctor that did this for a patient - who was educated in medical school - the doctor or the patient? 

Question:  Do doctors receive kick-backs/gifts for prescribing medications?  (It would be very easy for drug companies to get that info from the pharmacies who have the prescriptions turned in to them.)

IF a patient is honest with their doctor, the doctor is able to prescribe a medication for the patient's reason for seeing the doctor.  The article about "What Doctors wish Their Patients Knew" is very enlightening.

[dleavittclark]

If my doctor doesn’t know what I need, I need a new doctor.  Seriously, this is so stupid it defies reality.  Ask your doctor if you need “fill in the blank”, is just ridiculous.

[h194422c]

Most of the commercials offer no real benefits to taking a particular drug.  By the time I find out what the side effects are,  I feel that it wouldn't be worth taking.  Also they come up with a drug and it doesn't do what the pharmaceutical companies expected it to do, so they seem to make up a disease to fit the drug.

[MikeMcCann]

I think they should be illegal.  They increase the cost of Rxs and can confuse people.  A person's MD should be the one to recommend Rxs.

[j763994r]

Think if a doctor ever recommended a medical product you see advertised on TV I would tell the Dr. to give me an older less effective medicine out of spite.

I have Comcast TV and pay a little extra for the DVR.  Record everything I want to watch and fast-forward through all commercials.  If I had to watch TV without the DVR I would probably end up sticking needles in my eyes.  Prime TV and Netflix also help to avoid that garbage.

[rasmussenj]

Advertising products that you can walk into a store and purchase anytime you choose without getting someone's permission makes sense.  Advertising presciption drugs makes no sense.  Only two countries allow drug manufactures to advertise prescription products on TV:  the US and New Zealand.  It used to be illegal here.  But the drug companies, by fattening politicians' campaign chests, managed to buy the right to advertise on TV.  These same pharmaceutical companies are trying to get out of listing all of the side effect disclaimers (negative influence on the consumer do you suppose?).  And of course, this ups the cost of the drugs and they get an advertising tax deduction bonus as well!  This nonsense needs to stop.  Oh, and let us not forget that we can no longer by pharmaceuticals from other counties, so Big Pharma has a captive market - NO COMPETITOIN.  Ya' gott'a love collusion to create a monopoly.  There is nothing wrong with the drugs produced in GB, France, Germany and India.  They are just as safe with the same efficy as US compounds.  Time to press you congressonal reps to look out for our interests, not a monopoly industry.  -- Jerry

[rg4682]

It's a waste of moneand deives the costs up. Most people don't pay any attention to them anyway.

[Sheba022383]

Prescription drugs should never be advertised on TV.  It encourages people to ask their doctors for prescriptions that are most likely more expensive than their current med, and hasn't had the test of time. Sometimes it's years before a drug is found to cause worse problems that what it's intended to treat.

[kenlin1951]

I agree with all of you that there are an excessive amount of medical ads on television. Each time an ad comes on I cringe, especially ones that refer to illnesses that I am or have endured. They are a continuous reminder of the pain and agony that people go through. We do not need to be constantly told about any drugs or treatment and how sick it may make us. Our medical team should be our source of information. What can we do to change this disgusting situation!!

[MaVolta]

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@kenlin1951 wrote:

I agree with all of you that there are an excessive amount of medical ads on television. Each time an ad comes on I cringe, especially ones that refer to illnesses that I am or have endured. They are a continuous reminder of the pain and agony that people go through. We do not need to be constantly told about any drugs or treatment and how sick it may make us. Our medical team should be our source of information. What can we do to change this disgusting situation!!

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Cue AARP . . . This is where you come in. Help us get petitions to Big Pharma and to Congress to stop this nonsense. There seems to be a consensus going here.

[active43]

Ads for drugs should be banned--as they used to be. If tobacco ads can be forbidden, why not pharmaceuticals? The amount of money spent on advertising adds greatly to the cost of drugs and encourages people to badger their doctors to prescribe them. It's amazing how many 'new' diseases have been invented to provide a market for drugs that cause more symptoms than the problem they were supposed to fix. Then people have to take yet another drug to counter the effects of the first, etc.

[r221685r]

I don't think that drugs should be advertised on TV.  It adds alot to the cost of the drug.  If you have a problem tell your doctor.  They will prescribe a drug they think will help.   

[dl73698250]

There are so many reasons for advertisizing and so many types of audiences to reach, I don't want to try to sort it out. What I find weird, is their advice to stop taking them if you start throwing up, or blood squirts of your ears.

[karenapearson415]

WHY can't we stop having pharmaceutical commercials?    Who's getting paid off?  It seems all agree that we don't want them.  Now, who do we approach on this?  We need to LOWER drug prices and discuss w our doctors, not our TV.

[gawalkers]

On the positive side, we do get exposure to a plethora of, potentially, helpful drugs that we may not otherwise be aware of.

On the negative, the total marketing costs, of which advertising is only a part, make our drugs the most expensive in the world. 

This bombardment of drug advertising could well lead us to self diagnose and ask our physicians to prescribe meds that we don't really need. It's interesting to find that countries where prescription drug advertising is banned, not only have cheaper meds, but their life expectancy is no better than ours.