It is very difficult for the typical lay person to understand the subtleties used in Pharma marketing and many do not realize that sometimes the best medicine is no medicine.

As for the comment that there is much misinformation out on the internet therefore Pharma needs to step in, is complexly unfounded and baseless.

I have seen quite a few patients harmed when they have interacted directly with Pharma.

Hope the EU continues to think about this - it is a mistake to say the least.

When FDAAA was first drafted, it included a provision that DTC would not happen for two years post-approval of new drugs. They would also have the equivalent of the “black triangle” in the UK, noting that we don’t know yet what the potential AEs may be. Among others, Senator and Dr. Bill Frist favored this provision.

Then PhRMA came up with its own ‘voluntary’ 6-month hold on DTC. And the provision was pulled from FDAAA.

Which way progress?

People often heed more when art imitates life. The 9/29/08 episode of Boston Legal exemplified the danger of DTC ads. See: Pharma Marketing Blog: Boston Legal’s Denny Crane Takes on Pharma Marketing. Where does he get his “facts?”

Anyone know the political persusions of those heading up this ‘inititive’?