Medical advertising is bad!
Our recent analysis explores why most other countries outlaw this controversial practice. We review evidence that direct advertising can lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments, causing potential harm and higher health costs.
NZ and USA are the ONLY "first world" countries to allow direct to consumer advertising.....this is not a good thing.
The global withdrawal of the arthritis drug Vioxx (rofecoxib), one of the most heavily advertised medicines during its five years on the market, heightened these safety concerns. Vioxx raised the risk of heart attacks, but the manufacturer continued to promote the drug to the public in the US and New Zealand long after internal company documents indicated an increased risk of death.
Just one example.