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Drug company advertising to patients

Posted by Jane D on June 20, 2001, at 19:55:57

Doctors Debate Ban on Drug Ads, Associated Press, Sunday, June 17, 2001
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_2266.html

There's a piece here about the AMA arguing whether they should urge the govt to ban patient directed drug ads. I don't know what they ultimately decided.

Excerpts:
"The ads can undermine doctors' credibility, especially if a physician thinks an advertised drug isn't the best choice for a patient who demands it, said Dr. Angelo Agro of the AMA's New Jersey delegation, which drafted the proposal. "

"Ads by their nature are biased and compressed, and driven more by drug companies' financial concerns than by concern for the patients' best interest, said Agro, an ear, nose and throat specialist from Voorhees, N.J."

What I like about this proposal is its pure nerve. Rather than be prepared to answer your questions about why you should/shouldn't use a particular drug they would rather prevent you from asking. I really fail to see how this preserves credibility. And of course the physician's information about new drugs tends to come from drug salesmen - in essence advertising. I think we might be better off letting the direct to consumer advertising continue and banning advertising to doctors.

From the same article:
"Several doctors told committee members that they like the ads since they may encourage patients who wouldn't otherwise seek needed medical attention to schedule a doctor's visit."

"Psychiatrist Dr. Saul Levin said ads for antidepressants, for example, help take the stigma out of depression and may make sufferers realize they're not alone."

I'm curious. Has anybody here decided to see a doctor after seeing one of these ads? I have to admit that when I was in denial I was very good at it. I very determinedly ignored ads, magazine quizzes, and textbook descriptions as applying only to other people. Still, I wonder if seeing the ads night after night on television wouldn't eventually sink in. Has anybody ever been watching one of them and had that glimmer of recognition?

Jane


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poster:Jane D thread:67287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67287.html