Pharmaceutical Ads All pharmaceutical companies should have ethical morals in what they produce and sale. From the pharmaceutical representatives to the Doctor’s then to the consumer. Every day you see on television’s, in magazines, the radio, and on the internet advertisements of new drugs being developed that offer a possible cure. No one wants to be ill, but do these advertised drugs really cure one’s issue or just mask it temporarily according to their ad? Are the doctor’s really giving you the correct medicines to cure you or are they pushing a product for the pharmaceutical company for promotional purposes? The United States and New Zealand are the only two countries that consider direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, ethical. Drug advertising advise the consumers about key, treatable health conditions and foster doctor/patient dialogue. I believe when consumers see these advertisements they try to self-diagnose themselves and sometimes finding themselves seeking additional medical attention by going to their primary care physician. “A study has shown DTC advertising is likely to increase the demand rates of both the drug category and drug brand choices, as well as the likelihood the drugs would be prescribed by physicians.” (Woodard) Adversaries of “direct-to-consumer advertising (DTC) argue the FDA has inadequate resources and many claims make it on air.” (Woodard) The amount of regulatory actions engaged by the FDA against pharmaceutical companies and their marketing prescription drugs to consumers has tumbled intensely in recent years. In 1997 the DTC reduced the amount of information that can be delivered during broadcast ads and not stating the adverse effects it could have on a consumer. This can be a reflection of either the industry compliance is better with advertising rules or a deteriorating of FDA omission. I believe it is all about profit, the Pharmaceutical companies do not care how their production of a possible drug that can cure illness’s. Kant states “Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end and never as a means only.”(DeGeorge 54) The direct pharmaceutical to consumer advertising is perhaps the most unethical. This goes back in time, it is nothing new when peddlers would travel place to place with their so called cures and potions. Pharmaceutical companies along with the help of the doctors are using consumers as a means to what they want, and not considering the side effects it will have on a consumer just so they can have large profit margins. DeGeorge stated “We use them exclusively as means as to what we want and not as ends in themselves. When we lie to them, we intend to deceive them. We are denying that as a rational being they deserve the truth, and we are attempting to achieve our own ends at their expense.’ (DeGeorge 54) The ethical issue “was brought to the Senate floor in 2009 by Representative James Moran of Virginia, who proposed banning advertising during prime time for adult-oriented advertisements. Due to more pressing issues the bill was never actually voted on. Likewise Jerrold Nadler introduced the "Say No to Drug Ads Act" in June. It would force the IRS Code to be amended to prevent tax deductions for direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medication.” (Alexis) Medical professionals need to take more of an active role in making sure advertising guidelines are forced and the care of patients is not negotiated as a result of Direct-to-consumer advertising. DTC has been debated in light of disclosures regarding issues with drug safety. Physicians should engage with the studies of the drugs and ensure the FDA is committed to ensuring the safety and health of the consumers/patients and that the DTC advertising does not sponsor false expectations. Lately, I have noticed that in the doctor’s office they are soliciting for patients to volunteer for clinical trials depending on the condition these trials are looking for, thus offering payment for their participation. Clinical trials that are necessary for drug approval are typically not intended to identify rare but substantial adverse effects. However, a majority of these clinical trials fail to disclose the severe adverse effects it had on their trial patients. I would like to see pharmaceutical companies, pharmaceutical representatives to act morally and commit to promoting health and wellness with public and honest energies. Physicians should be more vigilant with the DTC advertising and report those to the FDA that do not deliver a clear, precise and responsible health education communication, do not refer patients to their primary physicians for further information, and fail to dampen consumer self-diagnosis and self-treatment. Pharmaceutical and clinical trials should spend more time on pursuing high-risk groups. Pharmaceutical companies collect taxpayer subsidizations and their advertising labors would be more believable if we knew they really had our best interest.