By John Glenday

Doctors in the US are urging politicians to implement an outright ban on advertising prescription drugs and medical devices to consumers amidst fears that patients may be unduly influenced into demanding more expensive treatments which may not be as effective.

The American Medical Association warns that marketing activities are driving up the cost of drugs with board chair-elect Patrice Harris saying: “Direct-to-consumer advertising also inflates demand for new and more expensive drugs, even when those drugs may not be appropriate.”

Over the last two years pharmaceutical firms spend on advertising has increased by 30 per cent to reach $4.5bn, driven by glitzy Read full story ›

Source: The Drum