Posted by Bill LL on November 24, 2004, at 10:38:11
In reply to Re: I totally agree-Link/Iris » linkadge, posted by jasmineneroli on November 24, 2004, at 0:43:59
I agree with the arguments against tv advertising. But I think that there are also some advantages. Many people will not take antidepressant or anti-anxiety drugs, or even tell their doctor that they are depressed, due to a perceived stigma. I think that tv ads help to reduce this stigma.
ADD is another condition that docs generally cannot diagnose unless the patient is willing to first report problems with themselves or their children. The ads help parents to at least think about whether or not their kids may have ADD, especially if they are under-performing in school.
So I think that conditions that a doc can diagnose with tests, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol do not need to have tv drug advertisements. But I think that these drug ads can be helpful for conditions that the patient must self report, especially if there is a stigma involved.
poster:Bill LL
thread:418426
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041123/msgs/419714.html