E-DRUG: HAI Europe Statement: The tide is turning against pharmaceutical ads (2)
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Hi Terri Beswick,
I want to thank you for bringing back this topic and please allow me to add my voice on the debate regarding direct-to-consumer advertising in the pharma industry. In Canada you cannot escape from the incessant drug ads on TV. This country prohibits advertisement of prescription drugs; however, because about 50% of TV channels are American and because the same proportion of Canadian channels run American programs, Canadians are left with little choice to avoid these ads.
My stance is that if a medicine works, doctors/medical practitioners (who are the experts) will prescribe it. I do not support the idea of patients asking doctors to prescribe a medicine because they think it is effective (after seeing or watching an ad). There is even a catch phrase now...'Talk to your doctor about it'.
A more disturbing picture is that the ads now tend to carry more information on the side/adverse effects of the medication than the indication(s) it alleges to treat. This leaves an image that the drug might not be that safe afterall... However, if this information was left for the family doctor/practioner to dessimate, it would be well taken by the patient.
I know it won't be an easy battle to fight as there are several competing interests at stake (TV corporations, Advertising companies etc), however, if the civil society continues to push forward their demand, with some help direct to consumer advertising will one day be stamped out.
Kind regards.
Magnus A Atemnkeng, PhD
magnusajong@yahoo.com
Montreal, Canada