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Tell Congress to Ban TV Drug Ads
Target: U.S. CongressSponsored by: Consumers Union
A bill was just introduced in the House banning advertising of new drugs and devices for the first three years on the market. It also requires TV drug and device ads include a toll-free number, so we can easily report serious side effects to the FDA.
This bill will really improve the safety of prescription drugs. The first few years a drug is on the market is when harmful side effects are likely to emerge. Banning ad campaigns will keep a new drug from being overused until its risks are better known.
And telling us how to report serious side effects in TV ads will get important safety information to the FDA more quickly.
Tell your member of Congress to support this important bill now. The momentum is growing to do something about TV drug and device ads thanks to you!
Sign Petition see who signed this
We signed the “Tell Congress to Ban TV Drug Ads” petition!
# 6,969:
5:14 pm PDT, Aug 18,
Keith Anderson, New York
# 6,968:
10:43 am PDT, Aug 18,
Catherine Singelsether, Maryland
they don't care about our health at all
they don't care about our health at all
# 6,967:
10:41 am PDT, Aug 18,
Brianna Lopez, New Mexico
# 6,966:
8:25 am PDT, Aug 18,
Roberta Bracker, Arizona
I urge you to deny advertising to new pharmaceuticals. Roberta Bracker
I urge you to deny advertising to new pharmaceuticals. Roberta Bracker
# 6,965:
8:13 pm PDT, Aug 17,
Wes Olsen, California
No more tobacco ads.....great! Seems like alcohol ads are proliferating.....A shame, and barely tolerable! Now we have a culture that has ALREADY become a collection of "pill-heads" being bombarded with blatant BS about medications that will fix up all their problems, most of which result from excessive and decadent lifestyles to begin with. Listening to the descriptions of the potential side-effects is tragic comedy. This is one of many symptoms of a truly "sick" society! No need to advertise it. Admittedly, just one old man's opinion. I maintain my health with generic "tried and true" pharmaceuticals that do not appear on TV. I drink a beer that contains no additives and needs no advertising. My personal method of protest the BOYCOTT. Typically, I will buy 'Brand X' because, in most cases, it is the same product, and I do not have to suffer paying for the advertising and the questionable 'prestige' associated with the corporate labels. Thanks for your attention. Respectfully, Wes Olsen
No more tobacco ads.....great! Seems like alcohol ads are proliferating.....A shame, and barely tolerable! Now we have a culture that has ALREADY become a collection of "pill-heads" being bombarded with blatant BS about medications that will fix up all their problems, most of which result from excessive and decadent lifestyles to begin with. Listening to the descriptions of the potential side-effects is tragic comedy. This is one of many symptoms of a truly "sick" society! No need to advertise it. Admittedly, just one old man's opinion. I maintain my health with generic "tried and true" pharmaceuticals that do not appear on TV. I drink a beer that contains no additives and needs no advertising. My personal method of protest the BOYCOTT. Typically, I will buy 'Brand X' because, in most cases, it is the same product, and I do not have to suffer paying for the advertising and the questionable 'prestige' associated with the corporate labels. Thanks for your attention. Respectfully, Wes Olsen
# 6,964:
2:42 pm PDT, Aug 17,
Elizabeth Holloway, Texas
# 6,963:
9:40 am PDT, Aug 17,
James Berg, California
Ehough is enough! Stop the perscription drug advertising on TV. This way out of hand. A doctor should be making these decisions not the viewing public. There is too much drug abuse in the US now and this encourages more. Please stop Perscription Drug advertising on telivision
Ehough is enough! Stop the perscription drug advertising on TV. This way out of hand. A doctor should be making these decisions not the viewing public. There is too much drug abuse in the US now and this encourages more. Please stop Perscription Drug advertising on telivision
# 6,962:
8:12 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Sharyn Wax, Nevada
Stop pushing drugs and start pushing health.
Stop pushing drugs and start pushing health.
# 6,961:
1:00 pm PDT, Aug 16,
Angela Rhodes, Greece
# 6,960:
7:32 am PDT, Aug 16,
Hannah Raines, Tennessee
# 6,959:
6:31 am PDT, Aug 16,
Hannah Harrison, United Kingdom
# 6,958:
9:11 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Carl Grimm, New York
If they can ban smoking and booz of awhile they can ban drugs.
If they can ban smoking and booz of awhile they can ban drugs.
# 6,957:
5:21 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Breanna Haskins, Indiana
Crack is wack.
Crack is wack.
# 6,956:
4:03 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Madeline Bergan, Iowa
If people ban these drug tv adds, Driving would be safer and More people would be alive today
If people ban these drug tv adds, Driving would be safer and More people would be alive today
# 6,955:
2:43 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Samantha Trosky, Illinois
It is sickening and scary that they feel the need to make MORE of a profit! How many Americans are taking drugs they don't need and making themselves sick?!?
It is sickening and scary that they feel the need to make MORE of a profit! How many Americans are taking drugs they don't need and making themselves sick?!?
# 6,954:
1:57 pm PDT, Aug 15,
Bob Davidson, New York
# 6,953:
8:33 am PDT, Aug 15,
Karen Demers, Maine
# 6,952:
7:04 am PDT, Aug 15,
Darcy Gentner, CRRN, Illinois
TV propaganda/ advertizing has no place in medicine!
TV propaganda/ advertizing has no place in medicine!
# 6,951:
11:55 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Banks Wilkinson, Ohio
Drug ads are offensive and wrong! Most prescription drugs are unsafe and unnecessary! We need a system where natural medicines are allowed to be covered by insurance. We need a system like they have in Germany and other countries, where the best interest of the patient is the highest priority, not the profits of drug companies!!
Drug ads are offensive and wrong! Most prescription drugs are unsafe and unnecessary! We need a system where natural medicines are allowed to be covered by insurance. We need a system like they have in Germany and other countries, where the best interest of the patient is the highest priority, not the profits of drug companies!!
# 6,950:
8:00 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Theresa Rieve, California
# 6,949:
7:23 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Adrienne Yurick, New York
When I see ads for drugs (especially new ones)I feel frightened by the pressure on consumers to use possibly dangerous and often unnecessary products ipresented to us as wonderful answers.
When I see ads for drugs (especially new ones)I feel frightened by the pressure on consumers to use possibly dangerous and often unnecessary products ipresented to us as wonderful answers.
# 6,948:
4:54 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Shawna Murray md, New Hampshire
# 6,947:
4:49 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Marissa Stewart, Florida
# 6,946:
3:03 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Laura Gutierrez, Florida
It should be more than three years, three years is simply not enough but it is better than nothing. Human side effects could show up 20 years down the line.
It should be more than three years, three years is simply not enough but it is better than nothing. Human side effects could show up 20 years down the line.
# 6,945:
1:40 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Marilyn Mick, Texas
# 6,944:
1:21 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Name not displayed, New York
# 6,943:
10:32 am PDT, Aug 14,
Kathryn Hostettler, New Jersey
# 6,942:
9:05 am PDT, Aug 14,
Gail Dolly, Florida
# 6,941:
5:53 am PDT, Aug 14,
Jonathan Thorpe, Slovenia
It may need more than 6 months.
It may need more than 6 months.
# 6,940:
8:06 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Erica Bettwy, LMSW, Virginia
# 6,939:
7:12 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Valerie Plumlee, Arizona
# 6,938:
4:34 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Karen Mondale, California
# 6,937:
4:19 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Mary Smith, Minnesota
I want all ADs off TV permanently. The money would lower drug costs for consumers and I want ADs out of Magazines also permanently.
I want all ADs off TV permanently. The money would lower drug costs for consumers and I want ADs out of Magazines also permanently.
# 6,936:
3:35 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Name not displayed, Colorado
We should not be bombarded with such ads, only people in the medical profession should be familiar with all the various drugs available--I could careless! and I know nothing/very little about what medicine to take for what ailment. ENOUGH!! they should be banned like cigarette advertising is banned.
We should not be bombarded with such ads, only people in the medical profession should be familiar with all the various drugs available--I could careless! and I know nothing/very little about what medicine to take for what ailment. ENOUGH!! they should be banned like cigarette advertising is banned.
# 6,935:
2:16 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Cher Nelson, Minnesota
Subject: Please support H.R. 6151 Dear [Decision Maker], Please support legislation to help protect me from the risks of new drugs and medical devices. I urge you to cosponsor and support H.R. 6151, The Responsibility in Drug and Device Advertising Act of 2008, a bill introduced by Representatives DeLauro and Emerson that would place a three-year moratorium on advertisements for new drugs and devices. The first few years a drug or device is on the market is the period when previously unrecognized risks and side effects are likely to become known. A three-year moratorium on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for new drugs and devices will allow doctors to evaluate their use in patients, permit further safety evaluations and adverse event surveillance, and minimize any inappropriate overuse. The bill will also require a toll-free number in TV drug and device ads to alert consumers where to report a serious adverse event related to the use of a drug or device. By facilitating consumer reporting of serious adverse events, the FDA, physicians and patients will have better information for fairly evaluating drug risks. Placing a moratorium on direct-to-consumer advertising until more risks become known about new drugs and medical devices, and requiring a phone number in TV ads for drugs and devices to report serious side-effects, will be a great step forward for patient safety. Please support H.R. 6151 by cosponsoring it, and urging that it move forward for a vote. Sincerely, Cher B. Nelson 19180 University Ave NW Oak Grove MN 55011
Subject: Please support H.R. 6151 Dear [Decision Maker], Please support legislation to help protect me from the risks of new drugs and medical devices. I urge you to cosponsor and support H.R. 6151, The Responsibility in Drug and Device Advertising Act of 2008, a bill introduced by Representatives DeLauro and Emerson that would place a three-year moratorium on advertisements for new drugs and devices. The first few years a drug or device is on the market is the period when previously unrecognized risks and side effects are likely to become known. A three-year moratorium on direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for new drugs and devices will allow doctors to evaluate their use in patients, permit further safety evaluations and adverse event surveillance, and minimize any inappropriate overuse. The bill will also require a toll-free number in TV drug and device ads to alert consumers where to report a serious adverse event related to the use of a drug or device. By facilitating consumer reporting of serious adverse events, the FDA, physicians and patients will have better information for fairly evaluating drug risks. Placing a moratorium on direct-to-consumer advertising until more risks become known about new drugs and medical devices, and requiring a phone number in TV ads for drugs and devices to report serious side-effects, will be a great step forward for patient safety. Please support H.R. 6151 by cosponsoring it, and urging that it move forward for a vote. Sincerely, Cher B. Nelson 19180 University Ave NW Oak Grove MN 55011
# 6,934:
2:05 pm PDT, Aug 13,
Isabel P white, California
# 6,933:
10:48 am PDT, Aug 13,
James DeVries, Michigan
# 6,932:
10:34 am PDT, Aug 13,
Michael Sheppard, Canada
# 6,931:
8:58 am PDT, Aug 13,
Anna Burgess, Washington
# 6,930:
8:39 am PDT, Aug 13,
Elisabeth Marsh, Missouri
# 6,929:
11:52 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Kamna Tripathi, Texas
# 6,928:
11:15 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Robyn Barnes, North Carolina
# 6,927:
8:53 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Name not displayed, California
# 6,926:
8:47 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Caroline Swaya, Ohio
# 6,925:
8:02 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Linda Umphress, California
# 6,924:
7:55 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Name not displayed, Iowa
# 6,923:
3:15 pm PDT, Aug 12,
William Toner, Pennsylvania
Advertising of prescription drugs on TV can mislead the public and certainly adds to the already high cost of drugs that so many patients require and many must pay for on their own, without insurance benefits. The pharmaceutical companies already get massive benefits and protection for their profits from patent law.
Advertising of prescription drugs on TV can mislead the public and certainly adds to the already high cost of drugs that so many patients require and many must pay for on their own, without insurance benefits. The pharmaceutical companies already get massive benefits and protection for their profits from patent law.
# 6,922:
2:32 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Susan Galante, North Carolina
# 6,921:
2:30 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Jill Lohmeyer, Missouri
# 6,920:
1:20 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Amy Hellman, Minnesota
The costs of drugs would probably be helped by elimating these pesky commercials. My doctor can tell me what medicines I may or may not need or benefit from. It infuriates me that drug companies are advertising on prime time for prime money when we have a health care crisis in our U.S.!!! Instead of advertising, make a real medicine deal with the Seniors in our country and stop Part D!!! Shame on the US for doing that to our seniors and the drug companies for agreeing with our ignorant leaders! Common sense did not win here!
The costs of drugs would probably be helped by elimating these pesky commercials. My doctor can tell me what medicines I may or may not need or benefit from. It infuriates me that drug companies are advertising on prime time for prime money when we have a health care crisis in our U.S.!!! Instead of advertising, make a real medicine deal with the Seniors in our country and stop Part D!!! Shame on the US for doing that to our seniors and the drug companies for agreeing with our ignorant leaders! Common sense did not win here!
# 6,919:
12:39 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Terry Hoefker, Colorado
A lot of people take drugs that are really not necessary to their health. One of the reasons for that is TV commercials. Because if a person thinks they have that illiness they go to their doctor. Their doctor may tell them they may or may not need it and get it regardless.
A lot of people take drugs that are really not necessary to their health. One of the reasons for that is TV commercials. Because if a person thinks they have that illiness they go to their doctor. Their doctor may tell them they may or may not need it and get it regardless.
# 6,918:
12:38 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Caitlin Hurwit, Virginia
Medical decisions need to be made by doctors and their patients, not Big Pharma and its marketing machines.
Medical decisions need to be made by doctors and their patients, not Big Pharma and its marketing machines.
# 6,917:
11:00 am PDT, Aug 12,
Jon Landon, California
I am sick from watching the television run endless pharma commercial. I need to vomit from hearing them tell me "to tell your doctor to prescribe Rx XXX!". I didn't go to medical school, but my doctor did! Why do the pharmaceutical companies insist that I Tell My Doctor How To Do His Job! Screw them! They're demonic!
I am sick from watching the television run endless pharma commercial. I need to vomit from hearing them tell me "to tell your doctor to prescribe Rx XXX!". I didn't go to medical school, but my doctor did! Why do the pharmaceutical companies insist that I Tell My Doctor How To Do His Job! Screw them! They're demonic!
# 6,916:
10:46 am PDT, Aug 12,
Brittany Carothers, Ohio
# 6,915:
8:44 am PDT, Aug 12,
Margaret Tollner, California
# 6,914:
8:15 am PDT, Aug 12,
Christine Fry, Pennsylvania
Dear Congress - Please ban TV Drug ads.
Dear Congress - Please ban TV Drug ads.
# 6,913:
6:34 am PDT, Aug 12,
Diego Lombardo, New Jersey
# 6,912:
4:40 am PDT, Aug 12,
Carol Durham, Georgia
# 6,911:
2:43 am PDT, Aug 12,
Maria Romano, New York
# 6,910:
11:13 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Emily Goodwin Durand, Pennsylvania
# 6,909:
8:19 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Jennifer Brown, Maryland
# 6,908:
7:40 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Katherine Houchins-Holsclaw, Maryland
# 6,907:
7:19 pm PDT, Aug 11,
PAM GEMUENDEN, Georgia
I BELIEVE THAT ANY NEW DRUGS SHOULD HAVE A LONGER TESTING PERIOD THERE IS NO WAY THAT GIVEN THE TIME TABLE USED NOW THAT ANY OR ALL SIDE EFFECTS WOULD SUFFACE ITE JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME IT NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST 3 YEARS,PLEASE LETS CHANGE THIS TO A SAFE AND APP/ TIME TABLE THANKS......
I BELIEVE THAT ANY NEW DRUGS SHOULD HAVE A LONGER TESTING PERIOD THERE IS NO WAY THAT GIVEN THE TIME TABLE USED NOW THAT ANY OR ALL SIDE EFFECTS WOULD SUFFACE ITE JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME IT NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST 3 YEARS,PLEASE LETS CHANGE THIS TO A SAFE AND APP/ TIME TABLE THANKS......
# 6,906:
6:32 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Catherine Rasmussen, Florida
# 6,905:
6:32 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Charles Geitner, Wisconsin
As I grew up, listening to radio, I did not hear ads for drugs or medicines. At one time, Doctors and hospitals did not advertise. I don't believe they need to advertise today. I am also wise enough, politically, to recognize that you cannot ban the advertising. A compromise is probably the best solution. Support the idea of making the drug companies wait for three years before advertising a NEW drug.
As I grew up, listening to radio, I did not hear ads for drugs or medicines. At one time, Doctors and hospitals did not advertise. I don't believe they need to advertise today. I am also wise enough, politically, to recognize that you cannot ban the advertising. A compromise is probably the best solution. Support the idea of making the drug companies wait for three years before advertising a NEW drug.
# 6,904:
5:43 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Betty Cox, Washington
I am so tired of seeing drug ads all the time. Something has to be done about it!
I am so tired of seeing drug ads all the time. Something has to be done about it!
# 6,903:
3:30 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Julie Rios, California
It's like all we see is drug ads these days. It makes me- all of us wonder if they are truly safe and work?
It's like all we see is drug ads these days. It makes me- all of us wonder if they are truly safe and work?
# 6,902:
2:36 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Jennifer Cumming, Michigan
# 6,901:
2:28 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts