American Medical Association calls for ban on drug advertising to consumers | Reuters

In the highly unlikely event Congress enacted such a ban, the Supreme Court would declare it unconstitutional - since they now see no practical distinction between commercial speech and political speech.  The First Amendment is now a powerful anti-regulatory tool in their hands. - gwc

U.S. doctor group calls for ban on drug advertising to consumers | Reuters

by Susan Kelly


The American Medical Association on Tuesday called for a ban on advertising prescription drugs and medical devices directly to consumers, saying the ads drive patients to demand expensive treatments over less costly ones that are also effective.

The influential doctors' group said the new policy reflects physicians' concerns that marketing spending on a proliferation of advertising is helping to drive up drug prices. The group voted at its annual meeting in Atlanta to support a ban.

"Direct-to-consumer advertising also inflates demand for new and more expensive drugs, even when those drugs may not be appropriate," AMA Board Chair-elect Patrice Harris said in a statement.

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