Are TV Pharmaceutical Ads Damaging?

trivialscene asks: "ABC News is carrying an article about a recently published study in the medical research journal Annals of Family Medicine which examined prime time television ads run by pharmaceutical companies. The researchers concluded that the generally ambiguous ads, which appeal almost entirely to emotion rather than fact, tend to confuse viewers. They also suggest that the ads may be creating problems at the doctor's office, as some people might become convinced they need a particular medication and insist on getting it, rather than leaving the decision to trained medical professionals. What do you think about the presence of drug advertisements on television?"

Comments

not sure

[gEvil (beta)]

I dunno. I'm still trying to convince my doctor that Levitra helps you levitate.

Who cares?

[Captain Splendid]

All that matters is that there are pills that give me erections for hours on end. Balanced against that, who cares about the dumb viewing public?

Re:Who cares?

[gwayne]

All that matters is that there are pills that give me erections for hours on end.

You need pills for that? Sheesh, what's this country coming to?

Re:Not for me

[SuperficialRhyme]

Damn, I could have diagnosed you from your slashdot nick.

Re:The way I see it...

[gEvil (beta)]

So how's the acting career coming along?

Re:Ask your doctor about modding parent up.

[Citizen of Earth]

"If you want the professional medical opinion of your television, visit it instead of me. You're not buying dishwashing liquid here."

You're seeing Dr. House?