Well, when you can't turn on the television or flip open a magazine without seeing an advertisement for a particular drug, it might get some people's attention. And people will really start paying attention when research emerges that the drug is not as effective as first thought. The Wall Street Journal Health blog is reporting that Congress is investigating advertisements for Vytorin. You can see the blog here: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/01/16/congress-investigates-vytorin-ads/.
This just adds to the continuing debate about the value of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising, especially when it comes to drugs that are still being studied. There are indications that drug ads may help some patients ask their doctor more questions and be more involved in their health care. But that value may be limited if patients do not realize the limitations of these ads and the fact that just because a drug is on television does not mean it is more effective than a drug without a big advertising budget.
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