Why do we let big pharma advertise?

Question

I've been watching a documentary on big pharma and how it is becoming a business more than about health, and i'm wondering why we even allow them to advertise. If you are sick, you should go to the doctor and they should know about the drugs and give the right one, we as people shouldn't be influenced to go to the doctor and request a drug.

And with all the health problems that these drugs cause, i'm wondering why we even let them advertise, i think we should ban them the same way we ban cigarettes from being advertised. cigarettes lower stress levels but are harmful, most big pharama drugs do something, but have horrible side effects. Why do we let one advertise but not the other?

Answer 1

WE don't own them so WE don't have any say on how they do business.  If WE buy their stock then WE can vote.