Pharmaceutical & Medical Reforms

Bill Introduced to Ban Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

Noetic Dharma Group

— 1 min read

A bipartisan group of senators has introduced legislation to ban direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, a practice allowed only in the United States and New Zealand among developed nations.

The "Prescription Drug Advertising Reform Act" would prohibit TV, radio, print, and digital advertising of prescription medications directly to consumers.

The Numbers

  • Pharma spends $6.5 billion annually on consumer advertising
  • Average American sees 9 drug ads per day
  • Drug prices in the US are 2-3x higher than other countries
  • Studies show DTC ads increase demand for expensive brand-name drugs

"Americans are being manipulated into asking their doctors for drugs they may not need, driving up costs for everyone," said the bill's lead sponsor. "Every other developed country figured this out decades ago."

MAHA Daily Editorial: Your doctor should prescribe based on your health needs, not because you saw a commercial during the evening news. This common-sense reform is long overdue. Use our Scorekeeper to see where your senators stand.

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