Grrrrrr, prescription advertisements

[Bex80]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but I am ILL because in the mail today came an information packet from the makers of some children's ear infection prescription called Omnicef.

Irked for two reasons:

1. There are so many other ways (homeopathic) to treat an ear infection.

2. The media and fliers in Dr.s' offices preach to us about avoiding antibiotics to reduce antibiotic-resistant bacterias. Now the pharmaceutical companies are sending information directly to the parents that tells them to ask the Dr. for the prescription. WTF?

Inside the packet there is a $5.00 off coupon for when you get your script, a two page front and back paper with all of the chemical/biological fine print info on it, a %5.00 off coupon to give to a friend, a "Q&A" style booklet with Q's like "What is Acute Otitis Media?" and "Does prescription Omnicef taste better?" and "What do experts think of prescription Omnicef?" There is also a Family Health Survey that if you complete and return it you get a *free* child's book!

Am I overreacting or is this weird to anyone else?

[tinams8]

I totally agree with you, I can't stand the fact that drug companies are allowed to advertise prescription drugs. It's ridiculous. Especially the tv commercials, how much money are they wasting on those....and then I am stuck with a $40 copay because my insurance company doesn't want to pay for these super expensive new drugs. And I feel bad for people who are clueless enough to see a commercial and then go to the doctor and expect to be prescribed the drug because the corny commercial made it seem like a good idea...I could go on....

tina

[mommy2twinboys]

I just got the same thing in the mail yesterday and thought the same thing as you. Maybe that is why so prescription cost so much is because they spend so much money on this stupid advertising. It makes me not want to use this medicine because of that.

[Bex80]

ITA! I can't believe the prescription advertising epidemic. It's pretty sick. People are so $ hungry!!

[quest4quiet]

I especially love how after 2 minutes of listening to how wonderful their drug will make your life, they rattle off these HUGE lists of "rare" side effects. " Use our drug and be happy with your plastic life....and only have occasional mild to severe diarhea, stomach cramping, headaches, hot flashes....on and on". I think the most ridiculous is the sinus medication one that may cause side effects of....itchy and/or burning eyes, nosebleeds, sneezing. : I don't know about you but that sounds worse than my worst sinus day. Sorry about the rant, you found a pet peeve.

[joyfulheart]

This is a pet-peeve of mine, too.

Once, I ripped out all of the prescription ads from a magazine I was reading. I couldn't believe the stack I had! It isn't a wonder why drugs cost so much!

It always cracks me up how happy everyone looks in the drug commercials, too. Yep, and I love how quickly they tell you the possible side-effects -- you could turn blue, grow three heads, turn into a mannequin...blah..blah..blah

I could go on and on...

joyful

[kate-astrophe]

Does anyone remember the Xenical commercial from a few years ago? Xenical was (is?) a fat blocking weight loss drug. Some of the side effects...

"You may experience gas with oily discharge, increased bowel movements, an urgent need to have them, and an inability to control them."

[joyfulheart]

:LOL

I don't recall that ad, but it sure is funny.

Yeah, give me some of that!! Can I order it in bulk?

joyful