The FDA is becoming very active in DTC research. By my count they have identified ten studies that are in process to be fielded. Their glacial pace of completing their studies is well known so I am not sure when these ten will be completed and published. I know the people doing the studies are […]
Drug companies defend DTC by arguing it creates disease awareness and information on treatment options. Critics of DTC say it pushes high price drugs and creates undue pressure on physicians to prescribe branded drugs when alternative treatments are just as good. An article in the March 23 issues of US News and World Report written […]
For many years media pundits have predicted the end of broadcast/cable television as both a dominant medium and as a successful seller of ad space. As a DTC information provider we at DTC Perspectives are media agnostic. We believe in DTC but do not choose one advertising medium to favor. That neutrality has us question […]
Last week I wrote about the recovery in DTC spending in 2015. That should have been a happy event and one we all should have celebrated. Yet, another anti-DTC bill emerged in the Senate, sponsored by Al Franken and three other Democrats. This bill calls for ending the tax deductibility of advertising. The bill will […]
DTC spending continued its strong comeback in 2015, following a strong 2014. Spending was $5.17 billion in 2015 according to Nielsen, the best performance since 2007 when $5.33 billion was spent. Fueled by many new product launches, DTC advertisers spent heavily in 2015. Some of the biggest newer spenders were Xifaxan, Toujeo, Belsomra, Breo Ellipta, […]
There are several candidates talking about the high costs of drugs. The Republican front-runner, Donald Trump, has said in his town halls that we could save $300 billion a year by negotiating pricing through competitive bidding. Bernie says drug companies make outrageous profits and through a single payer system, he would dramatically lower costs. Hillary […]
Rosa Delauro, a Democrat congresswoman from Connecticut, introduced bill H.R 4565 on 2/12/16 that bans DTC ads in the first three years from approval. It also allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to continue the ban if the drug has had significant adverse events during those three years. The drug companies can apply […]
Novartis has just started a non branded disease education campaign called “Keep it Pumping.” You can see the television ad on the Novartis web site: www.keepitpumping.com. This Novartis web site discusses the serious condition of heart failure which has only a 50% survival rate after five years from diagnosis. The ad is very memorable, showing […]
The television campaign for plaque psoriasis fighter Consentyx started in January. The new drug from Novartis is joining Humira, Otezla, Stelara, Remicade and Enbrel. All have been DTC advertisers in a market affecting about 7.5 million Americans. Cosentyx is taking an interesting DTC creative approach. It is using testimonials from real patients who ask others […]
Yes I make my living on the back of DTC ads. That is one good reason I like them. But a more important reason is I learn what treatments might be available. I suffer from chronic sinusitis which makes me feel miserable much of the time. Having had two surgeries with no lasting effect, I […]
