No doubt you’ve seen this musical faux stage production which is a commercial for the type-2 diabetes drug, Jardiance. It’s an annoyingly catchy jingle that takes a lighthearted approach to treating the disease. It’s among the many drug ads that have flooded the marketplace. Why so many? Big Pharma can afford to produce slick spots and buy lots of time. They have the cash to license songs. Billions are spent trying to convince people with a particular condition to talk to their doctor about whatever drug is being advertised. This kind of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs has been legal in the U.S. for 38 years. The only other country on the planet that allows it, is New Zealand. These ads can be happy, sad, mislead, misinform and may be hazardous to your health. Take two aspirins and read on.
Feeling Good
Trelegy is an inhaler for those coping with COPD. Its campaign uses a soulful Nina Simone song called “Feeling Good,” which you can listen to here. It sets a more serious, dramatic tone than the Jardiance jingle.
Nothing is Everything
Skyrizi treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. Their jingle has ingrained the slogan “Nothing is Everything.” It’s a reference to the drug clearing up the skin. While not nearly as over-the-top as the Jardiance spot, this is also a lightweight approach to a serious issue.
Move the Money to Research
Eight years ago, the American Medical Association called for a ban on drug ads. They argued the billions spent on advertising inflates demand, and pushes prices up. A recent survey by AHIP, a trade association, found that of the ten largest drug manufacturers by revenue, 7 spent more on advertising than research and development. A ban on this kind of advertising might free up billions for research. Then again, it could end up as stock buybacks, dividends, and executive bonuses.
See Your Doctor
Those in favor of direct-to-consumer prescription drug ads often argue patients should be able to learn about drug benefits the same way they learn about the benefits of a particular toilet paper. It’s apples and oranges. The knowledge needed to choose a brand of toilet paper doesn’t require a medical degree. Charmin has no side effects we’re aware of, to consider. The Kaiser Family Foundation found 28% of people who viewed a drug ad on television asked a doctor about it. 12% got a prescription.