Many people think drug companies should be banned from directly advertising to consumers, especially older adults. The industry spends billions of dollars on ads that may encourage patients to take expensive new medications without considering cheaper alternatives.
Tamar Abrams, a 69-year-old woman, recently started taking Ozempic after watching TV commercials for the GLP-1 medication, which helps with diabetes and weight loss. Her doctor prescribed her the medication, and she lost significant weight and improved her health.
Experts argue that direct-to-consumer ads can be misleading and lead to overuse of expensive medications. A study found that nearly three-quarters of top-advertised medications didn’t perform markedly better than older ones. Dr. Aaron Kesselheim says these ads push “really good drugs” that sell themselves.
Others counter that these ads provide valuable information and education, making patients aware of available treatments and encouraging them to seek care. However, some critics argue that ads lead to increased use of brand-name drugs and non-advertised substitutes.
The Trump administration has proposed stricter regulations on direct-to-consumer advertising, while lawmakers have introduced bills to ban or limit these ads. The FDA recently issued a warning about misleading Ozempic ads, and pharmaceutical companies are responding.
Ultimately, whether or not drug companies should advertise directly to consumers is a complex issue. While some see these ads as informative, others believe they can be deceptive and lead to unnecessary medication use.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/health/drug-advertisements-consumers.html