What do you think about direct to consumer prescription drug advertising?

Question

We don't have it in Australia, although drug companies can do "public service announcements" to "raise awareness" of a particular health condition in ways that are subtly associated with their branding campaign, as long as they don't explicitly mention their product.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think it's inappropriate personally.  The general public are a mixed bunch and not all have backgrounds in medicine.

By hearing about a drug from a company, 1) you are getting biased information as opposed to the objective opinion of a doctor, 2) you are only hearing about one medication of potentially many in its class - that one may not be the best choice, 3) you aren't told about potential side effects, and 4) I disagree with such marketing tactics to make money from medicines (unethical but not illegal).