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posted by cmn32480 on Wednesday November 18 2015, @06:46PM   Printer-friendly
from the how-will-we-find-the-newest-ED-drugs dept.

AP reports that the American Medical Association has called for a ban on direct-to-consumer ads for prescription drugs and implantable medical devices, saying they contribute to rising costs and patients' demands for inappropriate treatment. According to data cited in an AMA news release, ad dollars spent by drugmakers have risen to $4.5 billion in the last two years, a 30 percent increase. Physicians cited concerns that a growing proliferation of ads is driving demand for expensive treatments despite the clinical effectiveness of less costly alternatives. "Today's vote in support of an advertising ban reflects concerns among physicians about the negative impact of commercially-driven promotions, and the role that marketing costs play in fueling escalating drug prices," said AMA Board Chair-elect Patrice A. Harris, M.D., M.A. "Direct-to-consumer advertising also inflates demand for new and more expensive drugs, even when these drugs may not be appropriate."

The AMA also calls for convening a physician task force and launching an advocacy campaign to promote prescription drug affordability by demanding choice and competition in the pharmaceutical industry, and greater transparency in prescription drug prices and costs. Last month, the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report saying that a high cost of prescription drugs remains the public's top health care priority. In the past few years, prices on generic and brand-name prescription drugs have steadily risen and experienced a 4.7 percent spike in 2015, according to the Altarum Institute Center for Sustainable Health Spending.


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  • (Score: 2) by Dunbal on Wednesday November 18 2015, @11:22PM

    by Dunbal (3515) on Wednesday November 18 2015, @11:22PM (#265143)

    You also could be putting the soylentNews site at risk from the lawyers hired to protect brand names.

    You're allowed to have any opinion you want about any brand name you want. Trademark does not mean you're not allowed to even think the word without permission. You just can't use it to trade under. But if I want to say that I think McDonald's hamburgers are disgusting none of their lawyers can do anything about it.

    Starting Score:    1  point
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