Since the federal Food and Drug Administration allowed the pharmaceutical industry to advertise directly to consumers in 1997, prescription drug sales have increased dramatically, especially for new, expensive drugs.
The pharmaceutical industry spent $4.2 billion in 2005 on direct-to-consumer advertising, according to a report by the General Accountability Office. From 1997 through 2005, spending on direct-to-consumer advertising increased almost 20 percent each year.
One study of 64 drugs found a median increase in sales of $2.20 for every $1 spent on direct-to-consumer advertising.
When people see ads for prescription drugs, they ask their health care providers for that drug.
Nearly half of the participants in a poll of Pennsylvania adults have asked their doctor about a specific prescription drug or medical procedure they saw advertised.
The American Medical Association has called for a moratorium on the advertising of newly approved drugs and guidelines for pharmaceutical companies to follow when preparing direct-to consumer advertising.
Consumer Reports recommends consumers pay little or no attention to prescription drug ads.
“Those ads usually promote the newest and most expensive drugs,” said Marvin M. Lipman, M.D., Consumer Union’s chief medical advisor, in an article “Don’t be Taken [in] by Drug Ads.
Generic drugs may be available that are as effective as the new drugs, Lipman said.
“And don’t let the ads convince you that every personality quirk, such as shyness, fear of heights, or performance jitters, requires a pill,” he added. “If you’re bothered by such problems, open a discussion about them with your physician.”
That’s good advice. You don’t want to develop health problems due to a new medication that looks and sounds great on television, but doesn’t measure up after you’ve begun to use it.
Tomorrow’s Unlocking The Power of Your Money will discuss What Boomers Need to Know About Prescription Drugs: Prescription Drug Reform.
