I hope that you all had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. For this weeks article I wanted to discuss drug company advertisements. It’s something that we can’t avoid and the drug companies use tactics to make their products look better and the side effects less severe then they really are.

The only two countries that actually allow drug companies to advertise their products are the United States and New Zealand. For the the rest of the world it is illegal. Being from South Africa, I found it very strange that these companies were advertising their products when I came to the US.

Advertising Tactics

Drug companies use certain visuals and music when they are explaining the product and talk about the side effects as to make them sound less severe. I know everyone has seen/heard at least one advertisement for medication that said side effects may cause death, depressions, severe organ failure and the list goes one. But they play nice music to take your mind off these harsh side effects that the drug can give you.

Another interesting fact, the FDA has urged the pharmaceutical companies to stop using distracting images and music in their TV ads. The reason was that the FDA had been receiving so many complaints they the manufacturers deliberately use misleading techniques to downplay their products’ risks while really emphasizing potential benefits. The FDA suggested they use highlights to emphasize documented side effects and slow the pace at which the risks were being read so viewers could better understand the drugs’ potential dangers.

Here is a little experiment that you can try, the next time that one of the drug ads come on TV you should close your eyes and just listen. You will notice that the side effects will be more apparent (and disturbing) when you’re not distracted by the “pretty visuals” that mask them.

Its crazy to actually hear how many of these medications actually cause a lot of damage to your body and may cause “Death” but it always seems that the side effects greatly overwhelm the benefits at times. Often times you find that taking medications causes side efforts…then you go to your medical provider and then they give you more medications to counter act the other medications. This starts the viscous and never ending cycle of being on medications.

Make sure when speaking with your Doctor that you know all the facts about what they are giving you. Do your research before to see if there are any holistic approaches that can prevent being on harmful medications. As always, it good to get checked by your local chiropractor to make sure your spine and nervous are working at optimum levels. This will help you better fight off ailments and kick some of the medications.

Get Involved

What are you thoughts of drug company advertisements? Do you find them to be misleading? Leave comments below.