Should pharm companys advertise to public?

I'm having a debate in college on Friday. I got allocated to the "for" team (unfortanetly). No clue what to say...research hasn't helped much.

Ughhhh...

 

No. It's a waste of money that could be going to researching meds we really need instead of copy-cat drugs. Seriously, they can manufacture 2 drugs for the same disease and make them 99.9% identical to each other and still sell them as different drugs, giving the illusion of choice. Imagine if we put the amount of money spent on cholesterol lowering drugs (a first world problem that can be controlled by lifestyle) and instead put that money towards a cure/vaccine for malaria (a third world problem not easily controlled through other means). Obviously that's not going to happen, but ethically, it's still wrong.

Also, the average american doesn't know shit about what medication is "right" for them, and the ads always say "talk to your doctor about..." and they already advertise to physicians anyway. It's just a way for them to get secondary consumers (the public) into pressuring primary consumers (the physicians). Unnecessary.

Not to mention when they have to list all the possible side effects, they make themselves out to be a joke...

 

^^^ This ^^^

I don't have much I could add to that post.

 

I really wish I was on the against team!

 

The OP asked for arguments they could advance having been assigned the FOR team.

One major argument: freedom of speech. Any law limiting the capacity of pharm companies to advertise/publicize in WHATEVER forum they so chose would be a first-amendment infringement. That is the central pro argument.

 

OK on the FOR side you could talk about raising awareness in consumers minds that they have treatable conditions. You could talk about medications being tailored to certain needs. You could talk about education related to various conditions. You could talk about reinforcing patient compliance with overall treatment approached. Providing information R/T consumer confidence in the product. Some companies offer discounts depending on family income level. Companies can talk about conjoint treatment with medication and other treatment approaches. Companies could do a public service pitch for maintaining natural resourses such as Rainforest's where flora and fauna are the basis of medications.

 

Thanks for you help! I need all I can get with this lol!

 

I AM on the against team!

No, they should not be allowed to advertise to the public. It's not like we can prescribe our own meds! IMO, the ads (can) cause harm and do no good!

Sorry - I know this post isn't helping you. Too bad you can't switch sides!

 

The debate actually went okay I made people laugh and made the best out of my side. Hopefully I was was somewhat convincing so I pass that class!

 

Good for you Here's hoping the best for ya! :2thumbsup: