Drug Companies Defend TV Ads In Front Of Lawmakers

Washington (dbTechno) - The nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson testified before lawmakers on Thursday. They were defending their TV advertisements as Democrats pushed for more restrictions on how they can market their drugs.

There were three advertisements which were put under the microscope during the testimony before House lawmakers. All three of the advertisements have been discontinued.

Democrats have been stating that the advertisements were very misleading to consumers.

One of the ads pulled was a Pfizer ad for its cholesterol drug Lipitor, which resulted in spokesman Dr. Robert Jarvik getting a lot of heat.

Johnson & Johnson’s Procrit ad was also scrutinized for advertising that the drug gives patients more energy, and a better life.

Some of this blame may be on the drug companies, but the House Democrats also blame the FDA for not doing enough to ensure the safety of food and drugs.

TV marketing is huge for drug companies to get the message of what their drugs can do out to the public. The problem that is arising though is that they may not be doing it as truthfully as they could.