MD’s Say NO To Drug Advertising

It’s all over this morning’s news; medical doctors in the U.S. are urging a ban on the prescription drug advertising seen on television, in newspapers, and in magazines.

According to reports from ABC News and MSNBC, The American Medical Association says a ban “is needed to keep patients from being misinformed.” Medical doctors had the following to say about prescription drug advertising…

“This is Catastrophic in my office, with patients coming in and demanding a drug they saw on television.”

“The patient is at best incompletely informed and at worst… deluded.”

According to the articles, some medical doctors feel drug advertising is “driven more by drug companies’ financial concerns than by concern for the patients’ best interest.”

While not all medical doctors agree that drug advertising is bad, it is inspiring to see the AMA take a stand on such an issue.

The day will come when drug companies no longer advertise directly to the public, not because there is a ban, but because the consumer has no interest in taking drugs.

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” – Thomas Edison

MSNBC: Doctors seek limits on drug ads
ABC News: Doctors want AMA to seek ban on prescription drug ads for consumers