AMA calls for an end to direct to consumer drug marketing

[cbelt3]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/645dff996...rug-ad-ban

"CHICAGO (AP) — The American Medical Association on Tuesday called for a ban on direct-to-consumer ads for prescription drugs and implantable medical devices, saying they contribute to rising costs and patients' demands for inappropriate treatment.

Delegates at the influential group's policy-making meeting in Atlanta voted to adopt that as official policy as part of an AMA effort to make prescription drugs more affordable. It means AMA will lobby for a ban.

"Today's vote in support of an advertising ban reflects concerns among physicians about the negative impact of commercially driven promotions and the role that marketing costs play in fueling escalating drug prices," said Dr. Patrice Harris, an AMA board member.

According to data cited in an AMA news release, ad dollars spent by drugmakers have risen to $4.5 billion in the last two years, a 30 percent increase. Other data show prices on prescription drugs have climbed nearly 5 percent this year."

:agree:

[Acer]

I'm going to ask my doctor if this policy is right for me.*


* Consultation may cause:
Chest pain
confusion
confusion about identity, place, and time
discouragement
false or unusual sense of well-being
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
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fever
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lightheadedness
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shakiness and unsteady walk
tiredness
trouble concentrating
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unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common or rare
Anxiety
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burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
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crying
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dysphoria
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tightness in the chest
troubled breathing with exertion
uncaring
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Drowsiness
headache
muscle aches
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stuffy or runny nose
Less common
Abdominal or stomach discomfort
acid or sour stomach
back pain
being forgetful
belching
body aches or pain
congestion
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difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty with moving
double vision
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decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty in focusing eyes
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pimples
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
redness or other discoloration of the skin
severe sunburn
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straining while passing stool
tearing
weight loss

[DavidS]

cbelt3 wrote:
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/645dff996...rug-ad-ban

"CHICAGO (AP) — The American Medical Association on Tuesday called for a ban on direct-to-consumer ads for prescription drugs and implantable medical devices, saying they contribute to rising costs and patients' demands for inappropriate treatment.

Delegates at the influential group's policy-making meeting in Atlanta voted to adopt that as official policy as part of an AMA effort to make prescription drugs more affordable. It means AMA will lobby for a ban.

"Today's vote in support of an advertising ban reflects concerns among physicians about the negative impact of commercially driven promotions and the role that marketing costs play in fueling escalating drug prices," said Dr. Patrice Harris, an AMA board member.


According to data cited in an AMA news release, ad dollars spent by drugmakers have risen to $4.5 billion in the last two years, a 30 percent increase. Other data show prices on prescription drugs have climbed nearly 5 percent this year."
:agree:

:agree: :agree: :agree:

I think that most physicians would agree that direct to consumer marketing is a huge pain point in seeing patients. Plus, who pays for all those advertising dollars? The patients and insurance companies who subsidize prescriptions. And who ends up paying for those increased drug costs by the insurance companies? Again, the patients.

However, who is going to fill the void during the national evening news if there are no drug ads?

[rjmacs]

Next up in Congress:

Nothing on this issue.

[jdc]

But I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE ALL THOSE SUPER HAPPY PEOPLE IN THOSE ADS!!!

And how will I continue to self diagnose if I dont know whats wrong with me?

[Uncle Wig]

Unfortunately I don't see them going away. If I said I wished the people who produce these ads would contract all the afflictions shown, would that be mean?

Acer: miley-laughing001:

[pdq]

Good on the AMA.

Does anyone believe drug companies spending bazillions on advertising is a good thing? e.g:

Science Blogs wrote: Nexium is actually a drug which should never have even been approved by the FDA. It really is only prescribed because of intense marketing because, logically, it has no business on the market and is no different than an existing drug [ie now-generic and less expensive] prilosec. Why would doctors irrationally prescribe this drug then? Because advertising encourages irrational choices.

[Black]

jdc wrote:
But I WANT TO BE JUST LIKE ALL THOSE SUPER HAPPY PEOPLE IN THOSE ADS!!!

Invariably the people they show seem to be drifting in a mildly euphoric state, with no sign of being able to work or lead productive lives apart from dressing neatly and playing frisbee with their golden retriever-- sort of a non-existence. Considering all the money that goes into that marketing, there must be evidence that living in a dream-like state is what people want.

[rz]

But how else would people know to contact their doctor if their erection lasts more than 4 hours?

[rz]

DavidS wrote:


However, who is going to fill the void during the national evening news if there are no drug ads?

Or a football game.