WTF is with these drug ads...

[Armitage]

that give you a brand name but don't tell you what they are for???
First it was TV, now we get a stupid "Nexium - Today's purple pill" banner ad.

What freaking marketing mensa decided that it would be a great idea to advertise something but don't tell anybody what it is???

 

[MacBaine]

Their job is to make you remember the commercial. I dont know though... maybe it's one of those "Don't call us, we'll call you when it happens" things..

 

[eakers]

i think its irresponsible for drug companies to advertise a drug and tell you to ask your doctor if its for you without telling you what it is for.

they make you think everyone needs to be on these pills.

 

[jackwhitter]

no, he is right.. name recognition. if you know a name, and finally need whatever type of drug and you have a choice, you are more likely to pick the one whose name you know... even though, you may not remember why you know the name. this is not true for everyone, but apparently it works because companies continue to use this advertising. this is also the same type of advertising politics uses.

 

[notfred]

It's illegal to say both the name of the pill and the symptoms it treats in prescription drug advertisements, unless they include all the side effects of the drug. Don't ask me why.

Q. What must a prescription drug advertisement include?

Under section 502(n) of the FD&C Act, advertisements must include: the established name, the brand name (if any), the formula showing quantitatively each ingredient, and information in brief summary which discusses side effects, contraindications, and effectiveness. The brief summary is further discussed in 21 CFR 202.1(e)(1).

Q. Are there exceptions to the advertising regulations?

Yes, there are a few exceptions but only to the requirement to provide a true statement of information in brief summary as required under 21 CFR 202.1(e)(1). 21 CFR 202.1(e)(2) describes which ads are exempt:
1. Reminder advertisements - advertisements which call attention to the name of the drug product but do not include indications or dosage recommendations for use of the product, or any other representation. Reminder ads contain the proprietary name of the drug and the established name of each active ingredient. They may also contain additional limited information, such as the name of the company, price, or dosage form.

From the FDA's website

 

[Colt45]

its for heartburn IIRC (well acid reflux)

stupid ad, nonetheless.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: notfred
It's illegal to say both the name of the pill and the symptoms it treats in prescription drug advertisements, unless they include all the side effects of the drug. Don't ask me why.

Yeah for years and years they weren't allowed to even say any of the benefits of the drug - just the name. I remember growing up to:

"Rogaine - ask your doctor if it is right for you". This, followed by pictures of people doing everyday things.

I thought for years trying to find out what Rogaine was and what it did (grow hair). Only recently were they allowed to say what the drug did (probably after hard lobbying from the drug makers). But the FDA put a restriction that if they advertize the benefits then they must also advertize the side effects. Look at a magazine drug ad. Then turn to the next page and you see tons of fine print about that drug's side effects.

Sometimes a company doesn't want to bother with listing the side effects. Everyone knows what the purple pill does after their last multimillion dollar ad campaign. So now all they want to do is keep that name in your head, but without scaring potential customers. My wife is one person who would be scared. Even if there is a 0.01% chance of a side effect listed on TV she won't take the drug. I always here things like: "well if you get all those nasty effects, I'd rather suffer through the original problem". I can't get it through her head that very few people ever get any side effect, and no one gets them all. But she won't listen... These ads are directed towards people like her.

 

[brxndxn]

Usually, IMO, it's the cheapest pills that work the best.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
Usually, IMO, it's the cheapest pills that work the best.

My dad (he is a leukemia patient) just had a anit-viral med filled. 30 day supply $1,550.00

 

[Orsorum]

"Ah, Nuprin... tiny, yellow, different."

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: eakers
i think its irresponsible for drug companies to advertise a drug and tell you to ask your doctor if its for you without telling you what it is for.

they make you think everyone needs to be on these pills.

Ditto!

 

[SharkyTM]

i hear you... at least his drugs are saving his life... mine are keeping me from taking mine.

MY MEDZ----------------------------price (co-pay)
Celexa 80mg/day- 2*40mg tablets/day= 60 tablets/month= $185.67 (15$/month)
Effexor XR 350mg/day- 4*75mg tablets/day= 120 tablets/month= $284.98 (5$/month)
Topamax 600mg/day- 3*200mg tablets/day=180 tablets/2 months= $597.31 (20$/month)
Wellbutrin SR 450mg/day- 3*150mg tablets/day=180 tablets/2 months= $286.45 (20$/month)
Ambien 10mg/night- 1*10mg tablet/night= 30 tablets/month= $73.77
Ritalin 60mg/day- $298.35
1 month supply of my medZ --$1726.53

SharkyTM

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: SharkyTM
i hear you... at least his drugs are saving his life... mine are keeping me from taking mine.

MY MEDZ----------------------------price (co-pay)
Celexa 80mg/day- 2*40mg tablets/day= 60 tablets/month= $185.67 (15$/month)
Effexor XR 350mg/day- 4*75mg tablets/day= 120 tablets/month= $284.98 (5$/month)
Topamax 600mg/day- 3*200mg tablets/day=180 tablets/2 months= $597.31 (20$/month)
Wellbutrin SR 450mg/day- 3*150mg tablets/day=180 tablets/2 months= $286.45 (20$/month)
Ambien 10mg/night- 1*10mg tablet/night= 30 tablets/month= $73.77
Ritalin 60mg/day- $298.35
1 month supply of my medZ --$1726.53

SharkyTM

I think I'd be more likely to kill myself for spending $1700/month on medicine than just for no reason.

 

[thomsbrain]

i think they avoid saying what it's for to avoid saying the side effects.