For some time now, Pfizer has employed Dr. Robert Jarvik to promote their cholesterol drug, Lipitor. Today the New York Times reports that while Jarvik has a medical degree he is not a cardiologist and he is not licensed to practice medicine. His appearance in a single scull boat is a sham. It's a retouched model.
It's one thing to lie when you're selling bubble gum. But a medicine that is meant to help you prevent heart attacks? Pfizer should know better.
This all leads me to believe that the proliferation of direct to consumer pharma advertising is no different from the turn of the 19th century practice of selling "elixers" and potions that would make life better.
This advertising should be banned.
My kids, frequently involuntarily exposed to healthcare advertising on TV, asked me why people who take medicine always are so happy and seems to have such interesting lives.
ReplyDeleteMost advertising in the category makes me sick.