Every evening, as Americans sit down to rest from the day's labors by enjoying an hour or two of television, they are besieged with messages encouraging them to "talk to their doctor" about various medications. If these lengthy, actor-portrayals are to be believed, the medications will completely change their lives in various positive ways. With health care costs skyrocketing, it seems economically irresponsible to push people to pursue treatment, particularly in the case of certain non-life-threatening conditions. Moreover, these ads are longer than all other TV ads on the air, meaning the companies that produce them have expended considerable funds which could be used to improve health in other ways. I advocate changes to the law to limit the duration and type of prescription ads on TV.
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