When Do Drug and Healthcare Ads Push Ethical Boundaries?
So far in 2018, pharmaceutical companies have spent $2.8 billon to run direct-to-consumer television ads pushing the benefits of around 70 prescription drugs. Between 2012 and 2016, the number of television ads for medications grew 65 percent as companies target the exploding and lucrative baby boomer market. Many patient advocates are calling foul, saying some healthcare marketing and advertising crosses the line by distorting the truth about risk and effectiveness.
In this issue of You Should Know, we cover:
- Biased (and often hidden) sources behind health care information
- Misleading celebrity endorsements
- Vague or overly positive promises
- Unnecessary medications
- Payments, perks to doctors by pharmaceutical companies
