Guest guest Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 Big Drug Companies Try to Hide the Truth with Slick Television Ads On the heels of recent drug recalls, accusations of political influence and outrage over high prescription drug prices, the pharmaceutical industry has begun a campaign to bolster its image. An article in The Hill details a " Healthcare Campfire with Billy Tauzin, " a recent effort by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the major lobbying group for big drug companies. Launched last month as part of a campaign that also includes several websites and weekly radio shows, the half-hour television program is hosted by Billy Tauzin, a former Republican congressman from Louisiana and the head of PhRMA since 2005. Though they are paid advertisements, the episodes are promoted as public affairs programs and feature interview segments with guests such as talk show host Montel Williams and former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. Reports on drug research and other various health topics are narrated by ex-professional broadcasters and produced to look like local news, the result of over $1 million spent on a high-tech studio and control room that could be found at a television station. PhRMA aims for the show to be nationally broadcast by the end of 2008. At the same time, Prescription Access Litigation (PAL), a national coalition of groups - including the Alliance - that challenges illegal and costly tactics by the pharmaceutical industry, called for increased enforcement by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) against misleading prescription drug direct-to-consumer advertisements. The call was part of comments offered to the FDA regarding its proposed study of on-screen images appearing while the risks and side effects of drugs are read during advertisements, and whether they change how viewers understand drug safety information. http://www.retireda mericans. org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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