This is an absolute no brainer, no idea why we even need to have this conversation.
True. Correlation here is this: only two countries in the world allow this type of direct to consumer drug marketing. USA and NZ. Also, two countries with the most expensive drugs: USA and NZ. Causality or correlation?
When only two countries in the world allow it and the other is the US its fair to say its obviously not a great idea
Theres a long standing maxim in advertising...If its marketed, you (the consumer) are paying for it.
Pharmaceutical companies are in the business of making profits. The often prate about the cost of bringing new drugs to market; the reality is a huge part of the cost of the drugs is advertising. They also engage in shady practices to protect their products and enhance the patent period of them. The average lay-person is in no position to judge the efficacy or otherwise of new therapies. We simply do not have the knowledge to do so. It is vital to know what you dont know and the clamour of the mob is the worst way to allocate finite resources, no matter how heartbreaking it is at times. Direct to the consumer advertising for prescription products should be banned.
Every medication can have nasty side effects. Thats why its up to the doctor to balance these risks when the decision is made to prescribe them.
Surely the only âadvertisingâ of prescription (or any) medicines should be factual information of the medicine, not fantasy outcomes achieved by a tiny percentage of users. Prescription medicines should only be presented to those who can prescribe them, in the same way - facts only.
Ummm it costs $5 for us. Not for Pharmac. Drugs are heavily subsidised. Thats why we dont pay thousands for essential medication
a decent idea by a national mp. who would have thought of it !
Innovative And new medicines = my companies drugs not the other companies drugs. Informative for the consumer = have the patient asking the GP to change to a brand.
If it wasnt a way of generating sales the Pharma Industry wouldnt do it. Follow the money!
I asked my Doctor about this after reading Bad Pharma by Dr Ben Goldacre. He unequivocally said that the Lyttelton Health Centre does not accept drug company marketing representatives visits, nor does it take advantage of freebies offered by the companies. I did the same to the local Pharmacy. Likewise. Ask your Doctor. And your Chemist.
Perks for doctors are negligible these days. There is actually a code of ethics. In addition, because doctors have little choice in terms of prescribing newer drugs even with good evidence of efficacy, because of pharmac, the industry puts less resource into this in NZ.
They arent prescription drugs
If a ban on advertising pharmaceutical drugs is implemented, let there also be a ban on the advertising of âdietary supplementsâ as these too may not suit patients health conditions and may cause harm. From what I read, a lot of these supplements are âsnake oilâ. It concerns me that often GPs become gatekeepers of the health purse. Patients are kept on the cheapest medication possible when there may be more effective alternatives. Without advertising, how do consumers know what is available so they can have this discussion with a GP?
I object strongly to the statement Ask your doctor if it is right for you.
Good on him! Legal drug pushers, most other countries in the world dont allow it. Breo - look up the nasty side effects and the fact that it is NOT for asthma, the warnings state it makes asthma worse. Celebrex, nasty stomach issues yet it says gentle on stomach. Blatant lies and nothing but drug pushing.
The information that we need is an unbiased view of the positive and negative effects of each medication in order that we can make an informed choice. Direct advertising should be banned as soon as possible, it is disgraceful and incompatible with the health system in Aotearoa.
have you never seen or heard an add for neurophen or panadol? Or do you not consider them as drugs?
I strongly support a ban.
This is an absolute no brainer, no idea why we even need to have this conversation.
True. Correlation here is this: only two countries in the world allow this type of direct to consumer drug marketing. USA and NZ. Also, two countries with the most expensive drugs: USA and NZ. Causality or correlation?
When only two countries in the world allow it and the other is the US its fair to say its obviously not a great idea
Theres a long standing maxim in advertising...If its marketed, you (the consumer) are paying for it.
Pharmaceutical companies are in the business of making profits. The often prate about the cost of bringing new drugs to market; the reality is a huge part of the cost of the drugs is advertising. They also engage in shady practices to protect their products and enhance the patent period of them. The average lay-person is in no position to judge the efficacy or otherwise of new therapies. We simply do not have the knowledge to do so. It is vital to know what you dont know and the clamour of the mob is the worst way to allocate finite resources, no matter how heartbreaking it is at times. Direct to the consumer advertising for prescription products should be banned.
Every medication can have nasty side effects. Thats why its up to the doctor to balance these risks when the decision is made to prescribe them.
Surely the only âadvertisingâ of prescription (or any) medicines should be factual information of the medicine, not fantasy outcomes achieved by a tiny percentage of users. Prescription medicines should only be presented to those who can prescribe them, in the same way - facts only.
Ummm it costs $5 for us. Not for Pharmac. Drugs are heavily subsidised. Thats why we dont pay thousands for essential medication
a decent idea by a national mp. who would have thought of it !
Innovative And new medicines = my companies drugs not the other companies drugs. Informative for the consumer = have the patient asking the GP to change to a brand.
If it wasnt a way of generating sales the Pharma Industry wouldnt do it. Follow the money!
I asked my Doctor about this after reading Bad Pharma by Dr Ben Goldacre. He unequivocally said that the Lyttelton Health Centre does not accept drug company marketing representatives visits, nor does it take advantage of freebies offered by the companies. I did the same to the local Pharmacy. Likewise. Ask your Doctor. And your Chemist.
Perks for doctors are negligible these days. There is actually a code of ethics. In addition, because doctors have little choice in terms of prescribing newer drugs even with good evidence of efficacy, because of pharmac, the industry puts less resource into this in NZ.
They arent prescription drugs
If a ban on advertising pharmaceutical drugs is implemented, let there also be a ban on the advertising of âdietary supplementsâ as these too may not suit patients health conditions and may cause harm. From what I read, a lot of these supplements are âsnake oilâ. It concerns me that often GPs become gatekeepers of the health purse. Patients are kept on the cheapest medication possible when there may be more effective alternatives. Without advertising, how do consumers know what is available so they can have this discussion with a GP?
I object strongly to the statement Ask your doctor if it is right for you.
Good on him! Legal drug pushers, most other countries in the world dont allow it. Breo - look up the nasty side effects and the fact that it is NOT for asthma, the warnings state it makes asthma worse. Celebrex, nasty stomach issues yet it says gentle on stomach. Blatant lies and nothing but drug pushing.
The information that we need is an unbiased view of the positive and negative effects of each medication in order that we can make an informed choice. Direct advertising should be banned as soon as possible, it is disgraceful and incompatible with the health system in Aotearoa.
have you never seen or heard an add for neurophen or panadol? Or do you not consider them as drugs?