Why Does the U.S. Allow T.V. Snake Oil Sellers While Other Countries Ban Them?

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The discussion centers on the prevalence of drug advertisements on U.S. television, which are largely absent in other countries. Participants express frustration over these ads, labeling them as "snake oil" and questioning their value to viewers. Suggestions include contacting TV stations to protest these advertisements. The conversation touches on the effectiveness of various advertised products, with some arguing that many do not deliver on their promises while others defend the presence of ads as informative for those with specific health needs. The debate also highlights differences in advertising regulations between the U.S. and other countries, with calls for more transparency and accountability in drug marketing. Overall, there is a strong sentiment that these ads contribute little value to the general public and should be reconsidered.
  • #31
You are right on!
My original question was, "Why is the U. S. about the only country that permits these ads--all other countries have banned such ads on tv?". And, how could we--the fed up tv viewers, stop them? These ads have little value to most of us.
 
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  • #32
DocN said:
You are right on!
My original question was, "Why is the U. S. about the only country that permits these ads--all other countries have banned such ads on tv?". And, how could we--the fed up tv viewers, stop them? These ads have little value to most of us.
Again, you need to supply your source of information. What countries ban ads for prescription drugs?

Also, as Moonbear pointed out, the ads are for the benefit of people that might be suffering from conditions that could benefit from these drugs.
 
  • #33
Calling them "snake oil" is a little over the top, but these types of commercials do have an effect. A doctor will probably prescribe treatment for serious illnesses on their own. Treatment for inconviences sometimes requires a little motivation.

For example, if moms take their child to a doctor to be treated for an illness and would be irate at being told to let the illness run its course, and if prescribing penicillin would at worst do no harm and might possibly do some good if the doctor was wrong about what was causing the child's illness, then why not write the prescription to get the mom out of the doctor's hair?

The same thing applies to the drugs advertised on TV. How many of them treat serious illnesses and how many treat inconveniences. The idea is to motivate the patients to motivate the doctor to treat something that the doctor didn't originally consider serious enough to bother prescribing medication for.
 
  • #34
If that was true, may desperately find a different doctor! I want my doctor to prescribe the drugs not, as you suggest, self-promulgated drug use. Anyway, this is not the question I proposed. My interest is why the U. S. is the only country that allows these tv drug ads--ads banned by all the other countries. They have little interest to the general tv viewer, in my opinon.
 
  • #35
DocN said:
If that was true, may desperately find a different doctor! I want my doctor to prescribe the drugs not, as you suggest, self-promulgated drug use. Anyway, this is not the question I proposed. My interest is why the U. S. is the only country that allows these tv drug ads--ads banned by all the other countries. They have little interest to the general tv viewer, in my opinon.
I have asked you TWICE to back up your claim and you have failed to do so.

Thread locked.
 
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