http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/ Cleaning the Augean Stables of the Health Care Debate Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:45:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9610 JL Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:09:37 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9610 In this circumstance, the average consumer cannot be educated enough to evaluate the efficacy of the product advertised. And to be honest, the physician likely doesn't either because he receives most of his new information about this medicines from the drug representatives. They fail to contact pharmacists or other drug experts. Edwards is right in one regard, though, and that is that it contributes to the increased drug prices we see. Unfortunately, each new drug that is patented is a monopoly for the company. They can charge astronomical prices all the while attributing it to covering research and design expenses. If you check their income statements, you will find that their marketing expenses far outweigh their research and design expenses. In this circumstance, the average consumer cannot be educated enough to evaluate the efficacy of the product advertised. And to be honest, the physician likely doesn’t either because he receives most of his new information about this medicines from the drug representatives. They fail to contact pharmacists or other drug experts. Edwards is right in one regard, though, and that is that it contributes to the increased drug prices we see. Unfortunately, each new drug that is patented is a monopoly for the company. They can charge astronomical prices all the while attributing it to covering research and design expenses. If you check their income statements, you will find that their marketing expenses far outweigh their research and design expenses.

]]> http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9504 Matt Horn Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:59:19 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9504 mea culpa. The ruling that allowed lawyers to advertise was 1977. mea culpa. The ruling that allowed lawyers to advertise was 1977.

]]> http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9492 Marc Brown Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:03:17 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9492 There are good reasons why so far only the US and New Zealand permit direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs. Just look at what happened with Vioxx. as the NEJM reports: 'From 1997 to 2006, nearly 84% of regulatory letters regarding direct-to-consumer advertising cited advertisements for either minimizing risks (e.g., minimizing or omitting information on side effects), exaggerating effectiveness (e.g., portraying the indication too broadly or making unsubstantiated claims of superiority over other drugs), or both.' There are good reasons why so far only the US and New Zealand permit direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs. Just look at what happened with Vioxx. as the NEJM reports: ‘From 1997 to 2006, nearly 84% of regulatory letters regarding direct-to-consumer advertising cited advertisements for either minimizing risks (e.g., minimizing or omitting information on side effects), exaggerating effectiveness (e.g., portraying the indication too broadly or making unsubstantiated claims of superiority over other drugs), or both.’

]]> http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9490 Matt Horn Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:52:12 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9490 I'm not arguing the merit, just saying that there was limits on lawyer advertising that was involved in that action as well. I think if they are to reinstitute the ad bans, they need to do it across the board. All this discussion is moot, however, as the Supreme Court already ruled on this issue. It would take more than a windbag politician (and med-mal lawyer, wink wink) to change that ruling. I’m not arguing the merit, just saying that there was limits on lawyer advertising that was involved in that action as well. I think if they are to reinstitute the ad bans, they need to do it across the board. All this discussion is moot, however, as the Supreme Court already ruled on this issue. It would take more than a windbag politician (and med-mal lawyer, wink wink) to change that ruling.

]]> http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9477 drmatt Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:20:15 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9477 The first ammendment is not without limits, you cannot express something that may actually or is likely to or can be reasonably expected to cause harm. When was the last time you say a ciggarette add on the television? Do you suppose some of these medications could cause harm? Do you suppose some are likely to or can reasonably expected to? The first ammendment is not without limits, you cannot express something that may actually or is likely to or can be reasonably expected to cause harm. When was the last time you say a ciggarette add on the television? Do you suppose some of these medications could cause harm? Do you suppose some are likely to or can reasonably expected to?

]]> http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9430 Matt Horn Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:13:07 +0000 http://www.healthcarebs.com/2007/10/30/john-edwards-on-drugs%e2%80%94again/#comment-9430 I think the trial lawyers were also a part of the 1993 action. More hipocracy from the prom queen. I think the trial lawyers were also a part of the 1993 action. More hipocracy from the prom queen.

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