4 ms·

Does the UK have those bizarrely obtuse not-an-ad-for-prescription ads like in Canada?

ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
I can't think of any although maybe some erectile dysfunction drugs are (don't know if they're prescription only or not). Otherwise, there's ads for cold remedies, cough medicine and analgesics. The idea of advertising prescription drugs seems bizarre to me as surely you'd want your doctor's opinion, not whatever's on daytime TV
- Zak 4y ago
  US ads for prescription drugs typically say "ask your doctor about [drug]". I think there's a regulation saying that an ad describing what the drug treats must also discuss risks and side effects, but there are sometimes ads that don't say what the drug is for, merely suggesting anyone watching talk to their doctor about it.
- the_other 4y ago
  In my limited experience, you get better results from GP visits if you come with opinions and data about your own conditions and care hopes. They’re too busy; the current system that has forced 10min bookings weeks ahead as the only means of access means it goes better if you do the research for them.
  - ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
    I agree, but wouldn't consider watching TV to be meaningful research.
    - treeman79 4y ago
      My experience if you do your research your labeled as a hypochondriac and given anxiety meds. At least until you are nearly dead, then they sort of listen Oh you show signs of strokes and autoimmune condition? Here’s some chill pills.
    - thesuitonym 4y ago
      It's not, but it's hard to argue that TV advertising is (or was until very recently) a great way to get your drug's name out to the public. It's hard to research something you don't know about, especially before the Internet was commonly available. Of course, the drugs with ads are usually the most expensive name brand drugs that will earn the pharma companies a lot of money.
      - DrBazza 4y ago
        In the UK, we don't see a drug on the TV (other than headache tablets and cough syrups) and then demand our doctors prescribe them. We visit a doctor who makes a diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate medicine, if necessary.
    - refurb 4y ago
      The FDA’s own research suggests otherwise. DTC isn’t perfect but has a lot of benefits according to doctors surveyed: - Most physicians agreed that because their patient saw a DTC ad, he or she asked thoughtful questions during the visit. About the same percentage of physicians thought the ad made their patients more aware of possible treatments. - Many physicians thought that DTC ads made their patients more involved in their health care. - Physicians thought the ads did not convey information about risks and benefits equally well. Seventy-eight percent of physicians believe their patients understand the possible benefits of the drug very well or somewhat, compared to 40 percent who believe their patients understand the possible risks, and 65 percent believe DTC ads confuse patients about the relative risks and benefits of prescription drugs. In addition, about 75 percent of physicians surveyed believed that DTC ads cause patients to think that the drug works better than it does, and many physicians felt some pressure to prescribe something when patients mentioned DTC ads. - Eight percent of physicians said they felt very pressured to prescribe the specific brand-name drug when asked. - DTC ads help patients have better discussions with their physicians and provide greater awareness of treatments. The study demonstrated that when a patient asked about a specific drug, 88 percent of the time they had the condition that the drug treated. And 80 percent of physicians believed their patients understood what condition the advertised drug treats. - Doctors believe that patients understand that they need to consult a health care professional about appropriate treatment. Eighty-two percent responded either "very well" or "somewhat" when asked whether they believe that their patients understand that only a doctor can decide whether a drug is right for them. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/impact-direct-consumer-advertising https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients...
- MonkeyMalarky 4y ago
  Imagine the TV asking if you're feeling down, not quite right and many other euphemisms for depression while being very careful to not use medical terminology, then suggesting you to go see your doctor.
- DrBazza 4y ago
  I would have to check more of Ofcom guidelines, but it's likely in there somewhere that drugs (with exceptions you mentioned), like cigarettes are explicitly prohibited from adverts. In fact: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/section-one-protecting-under-eighteens https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-co... probably tells you why those 'little blue pill' adverts are only on after 9pm.
- razakel 4y ago
  Viagra is now over-the-counter in the UK. It's only legal to advertise General Sales List (stuff anyone can sell, like aspirin) and Pharmacy (can only be sold by a pharmacist, like co-codamol) medicines to the public. Prescription drugs can only be advertised to medical professionals.

I can't think of any although maybe some erectile dysfunction drugs are (don't know if they're prescription only or not). Otherwise, there's ads for cold remedies, cough medicine and analgesics. The idea of advertising prescription drugs seems bizarre to me as surely you'd want your doctor's opinion, not whatever's on daytime TV

Zak 4y ago
US ads for prescription drugs typically say "ask your doctor about [drug]". I think there's a regulation saying that an ad describing what the drug treats must also discuss risks and side effects, but there are sometimes ads that don't say what the drug is for, merely suggesting anyone watching talk to their doctor about it.
the_other 4y ago
In my limited experience, you get better results from GP visits if you come with opinions and data about your own conditions and care hopes. They’re too busy; the current system that has forced 10min bookings weeks ahead as the only means of access means it goes better if you do the research for them.
- ndsipa_pomu 4y ago
  I agree, but wouldn't consider watching TV to be meaningful research.
  - treeman79 4y ago
    My experience if you do your research your labeled as a hypochondriac and given anxiety meds. At least until you are nearly dead, then they sort of listen Oh you show signs of strokes and autoimmune condition? Here’s some chill pills.
  - thesuitonym 4y ago
    It's not, but it's hard to argue that TV advertising is (or was until very recently) a great way to get your drug's name out to the public. It's hard to research something you don't know about, especially before the Internet was commonly available. Of course, the drugs with ads are usually the most expensive name brand drugs that will earn the pharma companies a lot of money.
    - DrBazza 4y ago
      In the UK, we don't see a drug on the TV (other than headache tablets and cough syrups) and then demand our doctors prescribe them. We visit a doctor who makes a diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate medicine, if necessary.
  - refurb 4y ago
    The FDA’s own research suggests otherwise. DTC isn’t perfect but has a lot of benefits according to doctors surveyed: - Most physicians agreed that because their patient saw a DTC ad, he or she asked thoughtful questions during the visit. About the same percentage of physicians thought the ad made their patients more aware of possible treatments. - Many physicians thought that DTC ads made their patients more involved in their health care. - Physicians thought the ads did not convey information about risks and benefits equally well. Seventy-eight percent of physicians believe their patients understand the possible benefits of the drug very well or somewhat, compared to 40 percent who believe their patients understand the possible risks, and 65 percent believe DTC ads confuse patients about the relative risks and benefits of prescription drugs. In addition, about 75 percent of physicians surveyed believed that DTC ads cause patients to think that the drug works better than it does, and many physicians felt some pressure to prescribe something when patients mentioned DTC ads. - Eight percent of physicians said they felt very pressured to prescribe the specific brand-name drug when asked. - DTC ads help patients have better discussions with their physicians and provide greater awareness of treatments. The study demonstrated that when a patient asked about a specific drug, 88 percent of the time they had the condition that the drug treated. And 80 percent of physicians believed their patients understood what condition the advertised drug treats. - Doctors believe that patients understand that they need to consult a health care professional about appropriate treatment. Eighty-two percent responded either "very well" or "somewhat" when asked whether they believe that their patients understand that only a doctor can decide whether a drug is right for them. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/impact-direct-consumer-advertising https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients...
MonkeyMalarky 4y ago
Imagine the TV asking if you're feeling down, not quite right and many other euphemisms for depression while being very careful to not use medical terminology, then suggesting you to go see your doctor.
DrBazza 4y ago
I would have to check more of Ofcom guidelines, but it's likely in there somewhere that drugs (with exceptions you mentioned), like cigarettes are explicitly prohibited from adverts. In fact: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/section-one-protecting-under-eighteens https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-co... probably tells you why those 'little blue pill' adverts are only on after 9pm.
razakel 4y ago
Viagra is now over-the-counter in the UK. It's only legal to advertise General Sales List (stuff anyone can sell, like aspirin) and Pharmacy (can only be sold by a pharmacist, like co-codamol) medicines to the public. Prescription drugs can only be advertised to medical professionals.