Seems to me that pharmaceutical companies’ advertising budgets are beginning to rival those of car manufacturers. As a marketer, I like to see my industry keeping busy, but this pharma situation is making me nervous. Every time I turn on the TV, I’m seeing some ad for some drug. The ads are purposely vague and always include “Ask your doctor about…”
Let’s face it: we wouldn’t be living the lives we lead if not for medical advances, much of which is attributed to drug development. HOWEVER, the pharmaceutical industry seems to be dangerously under-regulated, and it’s a bit alarming that non-credential people (i.e. you and I) are starting the conversations with doctors about drugs. Isn’t that just a baby-step above self-diagnosing?
Drugs such as Vytorin - recently in the hot seat because of its apparent ineffectiveness, despite its wide use - have fantastic and widespread marketing oomph behind them. Their ads are memorable and brilliant, and people remember the name and ask their doctor about it - just like the fun little ad says.
Here’s what I’m wondering: Is it smart to let drug companies advertise to the masses? At some point, if you talk about enough symptoms, everyone begins to think they qualify for the medicine. Are we doing ourselves a dangerous disservice by promoting brands with the biggest budgets, even if they’re not the best scientific fit for the individual? Is the whole medical model a mess, since doctors don’t seem to have the time (or even the ability in many cases) to actually diagnose people appropriately, and instead just slip them a magic little sample left behind by some pharmaceutical rep?
What’s right? What’s wrong? And where does the negligence really begin or end?
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