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Pet Peeve of the Moment

Jan 11, 2004 10:55 PM
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I hate the pharmaceutical commercials on TV where they don't tell you what the drug is for.

I mean I understand there are limits to the claims companies can make and what sort of stuff is appropriate for TV.

But a pretty field of flowers, new age music and a narrator who carefully avoids saying anything meaningful — that ain't the best marketing in the world.

If it's something bland (e.g. high cholesterol), why not tell us? And if it's something more exotic, I feel the same frustration of anyone who hears, "Oh, you don't want to know." (Well, now I do!)

I suppose such nebulous advertising could help slightly with the brand recognition.

But is anyone really going to make an appointment and be like, "Oh, nothing's wrong doc. I'm feeling great. It's just that my TV said to ask you about Xocanizyl."


Comments: Pet Peeve of the Moment

If they said what it was for, that would be a claim. And they can't make a claim without FDA approval of that claim. But they have so freakin' much money to blow away on marketing, they start making ads before they have FDA approval. Well, I guess they have approval that the drug is not harmful -- which is why you can get it -- just not that it's in any way beneficial, or if it's beneficial it's in a highly qualified way. Hell, a lot of these things are only 1% better than a placebo.

Posted by: Ian Bicking on January 12, 2004 8:54 AM | permalink

New law passed by the FDA to go into effect soon that will require drug companies to list at least intended use of the drug being advertised.

So there you go. Ask and you shall receive.

Not sure when the law is going into effect, however.

Posted by: ChuckJerry on January 12, 2004 5:54 PM | permalink

yeah i think its funny. i mean what woman wants to ask a dr about meds that for prostate problems.

Posted by: pam on January 14, 2004 12:27 PM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.