AMA calls for an end to direct to consumer drug marketing

[JoeH]

michaelb wrote:
I assume there would some 1st amendment argument that allows this and would make a ban difficult. The FDA could probably regulate claims in ads more carefully. It would also be nice not to allow or to limit the cost of advertising in the price of drugs for Medicare and for drugs in exchange plans.

This sort of advertising of prescription drugs was prohibited in the US until fairly recently. One source lists the year as being 1997 when direct to consumer advertising became allowed in the US, but does not list a source. So no details on whether a law was passed or what other reason resulted in the changes then.

Supposedly New Zealand is the only other country that allows direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs.