Symptoms of a Drug Prescription
Drug Prescriptions
Awareness to Drug Prescription Marketing
By Nikki and Anne Heart ♥ July 25, 2024
*Although we wrote this post together, we have chosen to present the following through Mom’s eyes.
Do you often think about commercials especially those geared towards health medications?
I know I have often watched mesmerized by the colorful pictures, lively people, catchy tunes and even the cute animals displayed within the happy setting.
More often than not I was caught up with the short film of the marketing material rather than the actual overall picture.
Until I recently became more aware and definitely more observant.
So, what exactly is going on within the marketing of a drug prescription?
Being frank, I must give credit to the marketing companies.
They have found exactly the right way to attract our attention, but yet not actually have us look at the facts.
The obvious goal of the advertisement is for a patient to contact their health care provider and ask to be prescribed the drug being advertised. No doubt here since the marketing material states contact your health care provider.
And honestly, who hasn’t seen a prescription ad and ask their health care provider about the new miracle for their ailment. I know I have.
But what about the other information provided regarding the prescription drug?
Let’s look at the particulars of prescription marketing.
Questions for thought to bring awareness
- What is meant by don’t take “ABC” if you are allergic to “ABC”?
- Are the people in the commercial actually using the drug prescription advertised?
- Does the ad insinuate that a family member has the illness and uses the prescription being advertised?
- When the advertisement mentions side effects, are some the same as what you are seeking treatment for, i.e. depression, suicidal thoughts?
- What does it imply when a pharmaceutical company prominently displays the company name at major tv events, such as Olympic events?
- Is the marketing directing people towards a treatment plan, i.e. add on medication for your depression treatment?
Take a closer look at marketing of pharmeuticals
Pharmaceutical commercials are made to sell the product. Period.
Of course, there are some guidelines that the company advertising the product has to adhere to.
Unfortunately, regulations cannot be relied upon. Lines will always be crossed or pushed to the extreme when it comes to marketing a product.
An example of this I noticed was a commercial for a diabetic medication. In the ad an Olympic gymnast with her dad spoke about his diabetes. The commercial insinuated her dad was on the particular medication for his diabetes. Weeks later, the commercial added in fine print that her dad did not take the medication for his diabetes.
Sadly, time past with the consumer thinking otherwise.
Again, any commercial is made with a goal to sell a product or service.
It is generally recognized that the consumer must be aware.
That an actor only portrays people in a situation and not necessarily owns, takes or uses the product they are advertising. But when it comes to a pharmaceutical product, this can become very dangerous.
Special awareness must be taken when it comes to a product that can alter someone’s life.
What can you do to become more aware of markteting tatics
- Look at the ad closely if you are considering a pharmaceutical product
- Question everything you think you have learned from the ad
- Speak directly with your health care provider and question their information
- A pharmaceutical drug is not simple, it is something that needs careful evaluation to determine if it is the right treatment for you
- Most importantly, a marketing advertisement is there to sell
“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.”
-Aristotle –
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Note: All information in “Nikki’s Story” are based on detail journals covering seven years of Nikki’s life on prescription drugs.
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