Research shows that televison ads have influence in the doctor’s office — and to a degree that may subject patients to more harm in the form of side effects than good.
A 2013 study of 100,000 adults surveyed between 2001 and 2007 found that men and women who had more exposure to direct-to-consumer advertising for statin drugs were 16 to 22 percent more likely to receive a diagnosis of high cholesterol — and were also more likely to be prescribed statins.
The people who saw the most ads for statins may have asked for the drug by name or scheduled a doctor’s visit to talk about symptoms mentioned in commercials.
It is time to stop television and internet advertising of prescription drugs.