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Even Those Pushing Drugs Are Worried

By Michael Dorausch, D.C.

1 in 8, that is the estimated number of Americans that seek out a drug after seeing it advertised in a television commercial. Drug advertising has apparently been so successful for the pharmaceutical industry that they now have a $3 billion advertising budget. But medical doctors are feeling the squeeze and some are expressing concerns.

“I want this drug and I want it now,” is the way consumers are approaching medical doctors about prescription drugs. They see a particular drug advertised on television or in print, and that’s what they want for themselves. However, some medical doctors suggest that the drugs being advertised may not be appropriate for everyone and that some advertised pills and potions may cause serious side effects.

The pharmaceutical industry claims they are providing educational benefits to the public via advertising. At the same time, they are sending drug representatives like never before to visit M.D.s. across the country. According to a Nando news article, the number of sales representatives pushing prescription drugs has grown by 34 percent from 1998 to 2000, resulting in 1 drug representative for every 4 medical doctors in the U.S.

You can expect the costs of prescription drugs and health care insurance to continue to go up and up as a result of America’s newfound obsession with pharmaceuticals that are advertised directly to you.

Nando Media: Pharmaceutical advertising barrage lures consumers, worries doctors
MSNBC: TV ads prompt 1 in 8 to seek drugs – But study finds viewers often miss important information

planetc1.com-news @ 8:39 am | Article ID: 1012840789

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