This would happen in Europe too if pharmaceutical companies were actually allowed to advertise medications on TV, but they’re not. That’s the only reason it doesn’t happen. It’s not because there’s no point in it, they’d love to do it, it’s just illegal.

Oh, no. They market them to doctors as well. Try talking to someone who’s worked as an industry rep for a pharma company some time…

The very fact that prescription drugs are advertised on TV means that I’m going to goto my doctor specifically asking for this magic cure-all. And doctors get favors from prescription drug companies (clocks, mugs, pencils, stationary….maybe even money) so they are essentially pushing these new drugs.

We need to adopt universal healthcare like many, many other countries have. France, England, Canada…Cuba?!?

Sad sad sad. I wish there was something I could do.

If the Doctor dictates which brand medicine is to be given they can make a deal with the drug manufacture to push a selected drug that has no generic. Which is usually many times more expensive for the patient and the insurance company. If the patient is aware of other drugs that they maybe able to use. They can consult the doctor to see if it right for them.

Health care should be in the hands of the people… should we have mandatory health care checkups every year so the doctor can be in charge of our health, should they call us every so often to see how we are feeling? How are the doctors going to know when we are sick if we are not in control of our own health?

To the Americans that disagree, you really ought to think of _why_ the pharmacuetical companies advertise to the general public. If they don’t think that it’s money well spent they wouldn’t do it! Clearly patients do influence doctors when prescribing drugs.

Another point, this to the people who see the existance of ads for drugs as a sign of freedom. How can it be freedom to allow companies to direct ads to ignorant people? (It’s a little bit like arguing the relative freedomness of GPL and BSD licenses. I think Aq said it best when he said that “the freedom to take free code and make it proprietary is not a freedom worth protecting” (most likely somewhat paraphrased).

It is also worth pointing out that there is legislation against American-type drug-ads in some European countries.

In my view, one of the tasks of a government is to prevent profiteering that is harmful to individuals and society. This is one of those situations where the government stepping in leads to a better society as a whole.

Most of the programming is just not worth it. There are only a few shows that I’ll watch anymore.

I guess you never really had much healthcare in the USA because this is how it generally works:

You go into the doctors office, complain about a symptom that is bothering you.

You talk to the doctor for a bit, get a few tests if it makes sense.

The doctor perscribes you some medicine, if appropriate.

You go and then take the perscription to a pharmacy, or have the doctor assistant send the perscription to your prefered drug store (usually the one closest to your home).

You then collect the medicine and then consume it appropriately.

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I guess all of that is completely alien compared to what you experience in Europe.

I guess in Europe they must chase you down the street, rope you, then forcibly inject you with drugs.

Something like that. Must be indicative to socialized medicine or something. I heard a guy from Europe talking about it in the news a few times and I read a few socialist newletters that come from Europe, so I guess that makes me a expert or something on your culture.

The doctors offer expert advice and will not fulfill a prescription unless they think it is sound judgment. It is illegal for them to do so.

The ads on TV are just that: ads. They raise brand awareness. Like any other thing you drink, Coke, whatever. They create an image which they want to stick in people’s minds so that the company is held in high regard.