Drug adverts
Posted by John Paulus
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The first time I saw an ad for erectile dysfunction I was in shock. It was the middle of the afternoon, watching the Golf Channel with a cup of tea and a biscuit - it felt most peculiar (no innuendo intended or such drug required I assure you!). The watershed in the UK is 10pm, after which anything goes, more or less, and these sorts of adverts (for all sorts of gentlemen's and ladies' problems) would definitely not be aired before that time there.
And it's not just the ailment the drug is purporting to solve. Worse still is the litany of frightening and embarrassing side effects, all described in dead pan matter-of-fact tone making you think it was OK, that it's just the 'minor' consequences you have to cope with for solving one problem - just replace it with several others? "May cause nausea, vomiting and suicidal thoughts" - Mmm, no thanks. Or what about "Skin reactions and bleeding" and "some patients have complained of anal leakage" - I'll pass (pardon the expression!). And the seemingly 'catch-all' phrase - "May increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke that may cause death" - I'm feeling faint ...
I guess this all came about because of some class action lawsuit many years ago, but these drugs are all only available by prescription from a doctor. Can't the doctor tell the patient (in private) the consequences when prescribing the drug? In the UK they follow all drug adverts with the phrase - "Always Read the Label". But that's a bitter pill to swallow for most Americans who don't like being told what to do ... even if it's for their own good, and bad!
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the HRIS.
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