Television advertising of prescription drugs is inappropriate, promotes hypochondria, and has contributed to the over medicating of Americans.
To increase market share and sales, Pharmaceutical companies have been allowed to advertise on TV since a loosening of regulations by the FDA in the 1995.
Medicine is not a commodity to be sold like fast food, phone plans or automobiles. Medical decisions should be made privately with dignity and intelligence between a patient and their doctor. That is why a prescription is required.
This advertising creates demand for expensive products and is a major reason why these companies are able to overcharge Americans many times more than in all other modern countries.
Besides New Zealand, the USA is the only modern country to allow this practice.