Should Prescription Drug Ads Be Reined In?

Everyone loves to hate television ads for prescription drugs. But now, several members of Congress are seeking some restrictions on the commercials. For example, Representative Henry Waxman, the California Democrat, wants to allow the Food and Drug Administration to bar consumer advertisements for newly approved drugs until they have proved safe in real-world use. Another Democrat, James P. Moran of Virginia is sponsoring a House bill that would ban ads for prescription sexual aids like Viagra and Levitra from prime-time television, on decency grounds.
Defenders of the direct-to-consumer drug advertising say this is a way to educate consumers and let them know of medical advances. But some critics say the ads do great harm, and reflect a pharmaceutical industry that has run amok.

Entra y conoce las opiniones de:

• Marcia Angell, Harvard Medical School
• Ronald Bailey, Reason magazine
• James P. Othmer, author
• Julie M. Donohue, University of Pittsburgh
• Jerry Avorn, Harvard Medical School
• Robin Raj, ad agency executive
• John Mack, Pharma Marketing News
• Greg Critser, author