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Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

arstechnica.com

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Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#311

Post by TeMPOraL »

crusso wrote: post #299
netheril96 wrote: post #276

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In order to ban lies, you need to entrust power in someone else to discern the lies from truth. But that someone else lies too. It is simply intractable. Like the halting problem.

Exactly. That's why we opt for free speech. We allow people to lie and attempt to deceive and spin because we know that it's better for citizens to be accustomed to the marketing and somewhat robust against it than to trust some other higher power that can betray the unprotected and unaware masses.

I don't buy it. I think "we" didn't allow a thing, it's just that lying makes money, money gives power, and power can be used to keep your lying legal (and money can be used to make it be perceived as socially acceptable occupation).

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#312

Post by crusso »

TeMPOraL wrote: post #311
crusso wrote: post #299

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. That's why we opt for free speech. We allow people to lie and attempt to deceive and spin because we know that it's better for citizens to be accustomed to the marketing and somewhat robust against it than to trust some other higher power that can betray the unprotected and unaware masses.

I don't buy it. I think "we" didn't allow a thing, it's just that lying makes money, money gives power, and power can be used to keep your lying legal (and money can be used to make it be perceived as socially acceptable occupation).

And how do you get around the problem of who watches the watchers?

[edit add: Because I actually don't disagree with anything you said, but the solution you propose never seems to work]

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#313

Post by wpietri »

mindcrime wrote: post #149
abannin wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have yet to meet the person who, when asked for the reason for their decision, replies "it was irrational". The truth is that people take the action they feel is the most rational, and there are many factors influencing that conclusion. It's also important to consider that addiction is far more complicated than a dependance on a biochemical reactions to a stimulus. There are strong psychological issues at play as w…

I think I agree with you, but I'm willing to consider that there might be a bit more nuance to the issue. Like I said, I'd have to think about it more to be sure (that is speaking only in regards to somebody who already has an addiction). But overall, I am still for complete legalization of all drugs, as I still hold that a consenting adult has the right to put any substance in his/her body that he/she chooses. I wou…

My general way of balancing this is not the allowed/forbidden model, but more the public health model, including things like licensing and insurance.

For example, I think people should be free to play all they want with explosives. But given that explosives are subtle and dangerous, I think it's reasonable to require that people using them be licensed, including extensive practical exams, and that they be properly insured, which may include insurance company inspections and the like. They're welcome to make the choice to light any given fuse, but given the potential consequences it should be an informed, responsible choice that has fully accounted for the consequences.

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#314

Post by [deleted] »

DennisP wrote: post #300
morgante wrote: post #283

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they blatantly can't afford advertised at them relentlessly. That's not true, because most people do have insurance. The major problem is that the costs are socialized by insurance, so people buy excessive healthcare because then can afford it (they aren't paying).

There are countries where few people have insurance. Health outcomes are poor. There are other countries where everybody has insurance and the government negotiates medical prices. Japan, Germany, and France are three examples. They have much lower costs than the U.S. and the best health outcomes in the world, measured on criteria like death rates after diagnosis of major disease. Source: Healing America by T.R. Reid…

[deleted]

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#315

Post by astrodust »

danieltillett wrote: post #219
Turbo_hedgehog wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What if you allow basically the same ad but disallow mention of any brand names - only the generic name or condition to be treated?

This is what we have in Australia. Vague ads talking about various diseases and advising you to talk to your doctor about your health problems.

I believe in Canada you can talk about the condition, or you can talk about the drug, but you can't talk about both at the same time.

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#316

Post by such_a_casual »

dools wrote: post #261
hammock wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The irony of wanting to ban Rx drug ads because they are creepy, is that it was regulations that made them creepy to begin with. (You seem aware of this already) There is an argument to be made for consumer advertising for a drug like Viagra. Without awareness that an effective treatment exists, patients with ED or another embarrassing condition are not likely to bring it up with their doctor on their own, thus resul…

We don't have ads for this in Australia, and everyone knows about viagra. Ads for drugs aren't creepy, they're fucking crazy. When I watched hulu for a bit I was astonished by them fascinated. Terrified. The US is wild west capitalism EDIT: And another thing: you guys don't even have affordable health care, so people see this shit they blatantly can't afford advertised at them relentlessly. That's why spam is so lucr…

>The US is wild west capitalism

Yes, this is the true culture of America. Blind acceptance and worship of capitalism.

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#317

Post by 37 »

Splines wrote: post #310
chjj wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wrote a screenplay for a Prozac commercial. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT FADE IN ON: Supremely apathetic insomnia-afflicted MAN fantasizing about putting a revolver to his head. NARRATOR (V.O.) (speaking at breakneck pace) Side effects may include suicidal thoughts... CUT TO BLACK as gunshot is heard. MOONLIGHT SONATA begins to play. SUPER: Prozac - Because you deserve to be happy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gMjJNGg9Z8 (wait 30 seconds)

[as] on hn

I could have never imagined

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#318

Post by hackbinary »

duderific wrote: post #205
hackbinary wrote: post #175

I live in the UK, and I love that there are no Rx TV commercials here. Then again, I live in Scotland, and I get my prescriptions for free. The NHS is an incredible service, and it surprises me that most Americans don't want publicly funded healthcare. Even those darn Canadian guys north of your boarder have a good public healthcare system. BTW, the UK economy spends almost half in, relative terms, at 9.6% of the UK…

We're 'MURICANS! We don't need no stinking gubmint telling us what doctor we can see! Now let me get down to Walmart on my Medicare provided scooter because I'm too obese to walk... https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11046.pdf

Just so we're absolutely clear, I can choose my own doctors. GP's, specialists, dentists, and even a Homeopath!; if I don't like 'em, I can find another, and all on the NHS. I think, in fact, I have more choice than Americans--don't you have to go to whomever your HMO tells you to use? Also, your Canadian neighbours to the north get to choose their doctors.

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#319

Post by hackbinary »

hackbinary wrote: post #318
duderific wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We're 'MURICANS! We don't need no stinking gubmint telling us what doctor we can see! Now let me get down to Walmart on my Medicare provided scooter because I'm too obese to walk... https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11046.pdf

Just so we're absolutely clear, I can choose my own doctors. GP's, specialists, dentists, and even a Homeopath!; if I don't like 'em, I can find another, and all on the NHS. I think, in fact, I have more choice than Americans--don't you have to go to whomever your HMO tells you to use? Also, your Canadian neighbours to the north get to choose their doctors.

Also, the NHS funds our transport. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Travelcosts.a...

And scooters: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/p...

And we subsidise cars for the disabled: http://www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wavs/

Re: Doctors want ban on prescription drug, device advertisements

#320

Post by JoeAltmaier »

hackbinary wrote: post #318
duderific wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We're 'MURICANS! We don't need no stinking gubmint telling us what doctor we can see! Now let me get down to Walmart on my Medicare provided scooter because I'm too obese to walk... https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11046.pdf

Just so we're absolutely clear, I can choose my own doctors. GP's, specialists, dentists, and even a Homeopath!; if I don't like 'em, I can find another, and all on the NHS. I think, in fact, I have more choice than Americans--don't you have to go to whomever your HMO tells you to use? Also, your Canadian neighbours to the north get to choose their doctors.

Most medical plans create doctor pools and aggressively recruit doctors for those pools. I've never found a doctor that didn't accept my insurance.
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