Why do you think the drug companies today spend so much money on media ads and n

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   brakel2posted 9 years ago

   Why do you think the drug companies today spend so much money on media ads and not on research?
   
   In the past, very few drugs were advertised, and it seems in the last ten years media overloads us with these ads. I know it is to make money, but whatever happened to finding cures and ensuring safety instead of treating symptoms?

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   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   The goal is to have the consumer pester their doctor to write them prescriptions for drugs they saw on TV.
   In the old days a pharmaceutical company had to rely on it's sales reps to get doctors to give their medicines a try. Now you not only have the sales reps but also the consumers hitting up the doctors. It's a great strategy.
   As for finding "cures" the pharmaceutical companies have learned (the real money) is for coming up with medicines that "manage" diseases. Cures are a "one and done" sales proposition while managing meds provide (long-term streams) of income.

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Your view about cures is not unusual or wrong. However, everything that needs medication may not be a cure. Pain medication following surgery, medicine to help control cholesterol and meds for bipolar disorder need maintenance. Cures not coming soon.

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      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point. I'm primarily talking about diseases and coming up with cures for them. The recent Ebola scare in the U.S. where patients got cured proves if it were "do or die" we really could cure things. Money is in maintenance not cures.

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The word cure is used a lot and I know some who want total prevention. Treatment with medication can be a cure. Research will be needed to achieve total prevention.

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   Larry Wallposted 9 years ago

   They lobbied for the right and won and I disagree with the concept. It is a marketing ploy to try to get people to ask their doctors for drugs they do not need or not best for them. Some people will docfor shop enough to get what they want.
   
   I could live with the print ads that usually have all the information on the back of the page. Television ads should be stopped and that money either spent on lowering the cost of what is already available or funding additional research.

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   Faith Reaperposted 9 years ago

   Yes, I am afraid you are right about making money.  And as far as research goes, well, apparently, greed overtakes that, sadly!

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      There is a lot of research, but you have to make money to afford research. Some meds are too expensive and insurance can be too picky but thr pill makers need a revenue stream to fund research.. Much of the research takes place at universities.

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   lisavanvorstposted 9 years ago

   Its all about making money and not finding cures. The companies that develop these drugs want the doctors to push the prescriptions, thus they make money. If they spent more money on research and not on media, than maybe one day a cure for Cancer and other diseases will be found. Once a cure is found, why need the drugs and why bother with advertising? I really feel that there are cures for diseases, but it is kept secret so the drug companies can keep making money.

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   lisavollrathposted 9 years ago

   I think drug ads should be banned. Big Pharma makes obscene profits from their drugs without direct marketing to consumers.

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      brakel2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The US and New Zealand, I read, are the only countries that allow direct marketing to consumers. It is a big deal in the US, and takes up so much media time. It is a racket , and I agree with your  opinion and other opinions here. Thanks for comments

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   quildonposted 9 years ago

   Everyone agrees, it is a money-making strategy, and it's working. And it's not going to stop there. New apps are being developed which will allow the consumer to diagnose (you read that right) their complaint and then tell their doctor what is wrong with them and what treatment they should receive. The doctor simply becomes a dispenser of medication who is at the mercy of the pharmaceutical companies and even the patient. Research? Too costly and time-consuming.

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      Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Having been through a half-dozen surgeries, contraction of my throat, cataract surgery and a few other woes--I want a doctor to use the best equipment, and his knowledge. My doctor determined I was a Type II diabetic. He got me the facts. No pills,

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   aesta1posted 9 years ago

   I think some drug companies have realized that doing their own research may just be too costly so they watch for successful tests of some small companies or start ups and just buy them.
   
   The fight for consumer's money has always been in the media. The more popular the media, the more companies will use it as they know that is where they can reach consumers. So whatever money is saved from research, it is spent on marketing. some,brands now don't make any of the products they sell. They just market these as part of their brand.

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   liesl5858posted 9 years ago

   Drug companies spend so much money on media ads and not on research because they want to sell more drugs and make money. I think the pharmacies are just worried about their profits instead of making sick people better. Let us face it if everyone of us are well and no one will be ill then this pharmacies will be out of business. So instead of using money for research, they use it to advertise their new found drugs.

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    Mayaanjaliposted 9 years ago

    Earlier when there were fewer drugs and medical treatment was not as dear you were completely at the mercy of your doctor.  Now the doctor finds that his patient is well read with what he/she is educated through the media.  The ads that Pharmaceutical companies float are just a drop in the occean in their total economy, but the cascading effect the ad generates creates waves that reach every individual worldwide.  You as an educated patron can choose in conjunction with your "trusted medical practitioner " if you want the advice/product or not!  No I am not lobbying in favor of the Pharmaceutical industry but the point I am driving home is ads are a pittance to the Pharma industry but the outcome and outreach is far more & why should they not cash on it???
    I dont have to buy every product advertised as long as I know that technology has a product to offer to treat my ailment that is an OTC!.

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       Larry Wallposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I have to disagree. The driving force behind the ads is to get the product to the public before the patent runs our, or the FDA says it can be sold over the counter without a prescription. The generic industry, which only copies the majors work hard.

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    Marie Flintposted 9 years ago

    I'll express my humble opinion: ignorance. Drug companies are playing the power game, a twisted power game at that. Research, too, is a waste of time when the divine law of love is practiced wholly and unconditionally because then, in a state of purity and grace, diseases and other health concerns cannot exist. ~~~

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