AMA board chair-elect Patrice Harris said that the vote “reflects concerns among physicians about the negative impact of commercially-driven promotions,” specifically railing on the drug companies getting people hooked on expensive drugs.
To this point, the United States and New Zealand are the only two countries in the world that allow direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. With the push for the ban by one of the most prestigious medical establishments in the country, we should listen.
They are also demanding greater transparency in prescription drug prices and costs.
Other doctors are joining the cause. Michael Carome, M.D., director of Public Citizen’s Health Research division, stated: “We agree that such advertising is primarily promotional,” explaining that it is “not educational” and that it “drives up the cost of drugs.”
It is now up to the US Congress to pass the ban.