# Prescription Drug Advertising: Knock It Off Already!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 14, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241 "2003-05-14T17:45:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/41 "2003-05-15T01:58:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > **I maintain that the commercial is stupid, even if the medication isn’t.** I couldn’t agree more. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/42 "2003-05-15T02:07:09Z")
But, **QueerGeekGirl** , have you got a Carnitor sports bottle, and Aranesp tote bag, and a little tin of Epogen cinnamon candies with matching ink pen? Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah! ---
**Author:** ![I\_Scream\_In\_Darkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@I\_Scream\_In\_Darkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Scream_In_Darkness)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/43 "2003-05-15T02:31:29Z")
HOW COME none of the ACTORS are MEXICAN? BECAUSE BILL CLINTON let the PLEADIANS Steall all of the MEXICANS!!! Don’t LET HIM SELL YOU too!! REPENT!! Go To MExico! ---
**Author:** ![lachesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@lachesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lachesis)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/44 "2003-05-15T02:57:44Z")
and who would it be that distributes Prozac, again? shakes head in disbelief, and looks out window to see if full moon has suddenly made an appearance. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Scream\_In\_Darkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@I\_Scream\_In\_Darkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Scream_In_Darkness)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/45 "2003-05-15T03:09:26Z")
THE MOTHMAN is a MEXICAN who ESCAPED BILL CLINTON and the PLEADEANS! MOTHMAN must HELP other MEXICANS to FIGHT back so BILL CLINTON doesn’t STEAL all the MEXICANS! MEXICO and the DRAGONS are in PSALMS 101! ONLY White PEOPLE Won’t let the BIG LIE get out, that MEXICO is the PROMISE LAND and BILL CLINTON is trying to STEAL ALL THE MEXICANS! ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/46 "2003-05-15T03:25:03Z")
What gets me really pissed about it is how the images and scenes shown in the commercial have NO relation to the problem (quite often one that is life threatening). Its one thing for pepsi or ford to do this… but when it has to do with someone’s own body chemistry and the way their body operates? No. Just wrong… No. ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/47 "2003-05-15T03:52:08Z")
Omigawd I sooo want gumballs with little smiley faces on 'em. My cousin is getting a phone call about this right away. He gets all sorts of this stuff, everything he owns has some sort of prescription logo on it. The ads were terribly annoying to me at first, now I tune them out like most others. That said, it was fantastic to know my anxiety wasn’t just a personality quirk and that there might be help. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/48 "2003-05-15T04:03:54Z")
I saw my first ad for pet drugs today in the same vein as the prescription ads. It’s the one with the poor arthritic dog who can’t climb the stairs. I nearly wept for the poor thing, but then got off onto a mental tangent wondering how they had trained the dog to appear as if he’s in pain. After watching the ad, my dog turned to me and said that she needed to “talk to my vet” about this new wonder drug which made dogs leap so energetically. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/49 "2003-05-15T04:58:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BiblioCat \* > \*\*I am one jealous migraine sufferer. If he doesn’t give you his address, can **I** have the paperclip dispenser? \*\* The heck with the stapler/paperclip dispenser. I just want the damned Zomig! I don’t know whether to kiss the manufacturer for finally inventing something that actually works, or curse them for charging $16 a pill for the stuff. I cringe whenever I see those “good news for migraine” commercials. It may be good news if you have decent insurance with prescription coverage or boatloads of money. Otherwise it’s the same old, same old. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/50 "2003-05-15T06:11:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lissa \* > \*\*I saw my first ad for pet drugs today in the same vein as the prescription ads. It’s the one with the poor arthritic dog who can’t climb the stairs. I nearly wept for the poor thing, but then got off onto a mental tangent wondering how they had trained the dog to appear as if he’s in pain. > > After watching the ad, my dog turned to me and said that she needed to “talk to my vet” about this new wonder drug which made dogs leap so energetically. \*\* Unfortunately, vets don’t get nearly the cool drug swag human docs get. I’ve gotten a couple of fairly nice pens, and the ProHeart rep gave me a dog toy once, but that’s pretty much it. My husband, OTOH, brings me all sorts of useful stuff from work. Pens out the yinyang, mints, little bottles of Tylenol, you name it. BTW, does anyone have a Zithromax zebra? **Dr.J** ’s been promising to get me one for three years now, and I’m still zebra-less. I’ll trade any drug swag in the house (except my Vioxx bandage scissors, you’ll have to pry those from my cold, dead hand) for one. I want my zebra, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/51 "2003-05-15T09:31:27Z")
> [@](#): > > I am one jealous migraine sufferer. If he doesn’t give you his address, can I have the paperclip dispenser? Sure! Tell me where to send it! > [@](#): > > QueerGeekGirl, go ahead and send that Zomig paperclip dispenser to BiblioCat. Not that I don’t appreciate the thought, mind you! 😉 > [@](#): > > But, QueerGeekGirl, have you got a Carnitor sports bottle, and Aranesp tote bag, and a little tin of Epogen cinnamon candies with matching ink pen? Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah! No, but I _do_ have a Prozac daily calender, a clip tin of Vioxx mints, and a Viagra notecube! Now beat _that_! 😉 > [@](#): > > BTW, does anyone have a Zithromax zebra? Now, that I _don’t_ have, but I’ll keep an eye open! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/52 "2003-05-15T11:47:54Z")
> [@](#): > > Sure! Tell me where to send it! Done! Such a silly thing to get excited about. God, I need a life… ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/53 "2003-05-15T12:39:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrazyCatLady \* > \*\*Unfortunately, vets don’t get nearly the cool drug swag human docs get. \*\* Some years ago, the makers of Heartgard[sup]tm[/sup], a treatment for the prevention of heart worms in dogs and cats came out with their new beef-flavoured pills. To advertise, they sent vets two _huge_ steaks. Not only were they _huuuge_ they were absolutely _deeeeeelicious._ I also cherished a notepad that had been given to us by the makers of some ophtalmological treatment. Vets get stationary galore, but this notepad had the picture of a diseased canine eye printed on every page! How cool is _that_? ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/54 "2003-05-15T12:48:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QueerGeekGirl \* > \*\*Bouncy Kirby-wannabe is for Zoloft, I think–not Paxil. I’ve got an effing COFFEE MUG with him on it sitting here on my desk. Have you seen the stuff prescrip companies slap their logos on? I currently have, on my desk, a Zoloft mug, several Zoloft, Paxil and Seroquel pens, a Geodon stapler, and an effing Zomig paperclip dispenser. > > I shit you not. \*\* **QGG** , when I first read this I thought you got all the stuff through a “Frequent Poppers Program” I just got my free [Allegra](http://www.allegra.com/seasonal-allergy-site.jsp) [sub](fexofenadine HCL)[/sub] cooler backpack in the mail. I’m happy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/55 "2003-05-15T12:51:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tars Tarkas \* > \*\*[sub]Warning: Reading this post may cause drowsiness, dizzyness, lack of sleep, hypochondria, gassy discharge, oily discharge, deja vu, increased menstral flow, hair loss, skin rash, dispepsia, SARS, vampirism, veganism, dry mouth, sore throat, fever, disheveled hair, penis enlargement, penis shrinkage, slower elevators, memory loss, deja vu, deja vu, deja vu, deja vu, ulcers, night terrors, deja vu, fondness for cashews, heart attacks, death, staining of soul, weight loss, deja vu, fear of monkeys, asthma, and deja vu. Consult a doctor to see if reading this post is right for you![/sub] \*\* Well, I guess that explains my vampirism and penis shrinakge! ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/56 "2003-05-15T13:10:03Z")
> [@](#): > > QGG, when I first read this I thought you got all the stuff through a “Frequent Poppers Program” ::snorts with laughter:: I’m actually the opposite. Medication has little to no effect on me unless taken in huge quantities, so I usually refrain from taking anything. Frequent Poppers Program. ::snorts some more:: ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/57 "2003-05-15T13:31:19Z")
Y’know, I actually **like** the Zoloft lump-egg thingy, s/he/it just projects so well all that range of emotions, specially the quiet but clearly sincere joi-de-vivre achieved after the serotonin levels are corrected – and let’s not forget the ladybug in a supporting role, where’s her Emmy? My first intuition about WTF it is was “some sort of bread dough or soft roll? and uncooked dumpling? huh?”. My brother, OTOH, has identified is as the bouncing-ball capture-device whatchamacallit from _The Prisoner_ I was working as a Pharmacy Tech back when they were just getting started into the whole bent of liberalizing Rx-to-OTC reclassifications and Rx-med advertising (late Reagan years). Must say, my favorite promotional item was the Hoechst(\*) fine-art-reproductions calendar. Very classy. Two prints per month, one Old Masters/Classic, one Modern/Contemporary. (\*I think they’re part of Aventis these days) Nothing to do with a specific medication, but it evidently sought to project that you were dealing with a well-rounded, old-world-cultured corporation who thought YOU were a well-rounded, sophisticated professional. I liked the ads that were on the sense of: “You don’t have to suffer from rectal haberdashery anymore. Ask your doctor about new treatments for rectal haberdashery. A message from Smith-Kline-Beecham-Glaxo-Jacoby-Myers-Stills-and-Nash.” Of course, the latest state Medical Convention and Golf Tournament would have been sponsored by SKBGJMSN and for the past month every day the doctor qould have received a whole packet of info and samples on SKBGJBSN’s new medication Asshatoff(Anocephalinesterase HCl). OTOH, there is the medication that uses as it’s theme part of The Who’s “Tommy”. Notice I don’t remember off the top of my head which one it is. Claritin, Clotrimin, what? That is ineffective advertising. And I’m still wondering if anyone really needs to know various sports figures have trouble getting it up. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/58 "2003-05-15T14:14:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BiblioCat \* > I really hate the one that shows the little fungus germ _lifting up the toenail_ and climbing under. And setting up camp under the nail with all his little fungal germ buddies till the Lamsil Tablet rolls over him. > It just creeps me out when he lifts up the toenail and crawls under. :eek: > It’s the stuff of nightmares! Gaaahh, I **hate** that one! It makes me shudder, I have to look away. I don’t have any drug swag other than an Ocuflox pen and a Prilosec magnet/note holder (push down on the big purple capsule to lift up the note clip, slide note in, let go and paper is securely held in place). Pens are always appreciated, though, as the doctors steal mine too. And now I really want that gumball dispenser. Viagra ads get the best of both worlds - everyone **knows** what it’s used for, so no need to mention it and thus they don’t have to talk about side effects either. The ad from them that makes me laugh is the one where some guy’s coworkers are trying to figure out what’s different about him, asking him “color your hair?”, “losing some weight?”, and so on. My husband and I would interject little smartass comments like, “tenting?”, “sporting a woody?”, or the more likely intended one, “get some last night?” ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/59 "2003-05-15T15:16:14Z")
I am currently thanking my lucky stars that I live in Canada, out of reach of these creepy ads. All I’ve seen is the Viagra one featuring lots of really, really, really happy men. Fantastic. The last time I had this discussion we were all grossed out by “anal seepage” - what drug is worth that? - but now I will be kept up at night by the thought of Explosive Diarrhea. I envision Projectile Vomiting, going the other way … … unnhhhh … ---
**Author:** ![SchlitzGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@SchlitzGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SchlitzGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241/60 "2003-05-15T17:48:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QueerGeekGirl \* > \*\*Bouncy Kirby-wannabe is for Zoloft, I think–not Paxil. I’ve got an effing COFFEE MUG with him on it sitting here on my desk. Have you seen the stuff prescrip companies slap their logos on? I currently have, on my desk, a Zoloft mug, several Zoloft, Paxil and Seroquel pens, a Geodon stapler, and an effing Zomig paperclip dispenser. > > I shit you not. \*\* Your increased medical insurance co-pay hard at work. Is this a great country or what?😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prescription-drug-advertising-knock-it-off-already/175241.md?page=4)