PhRMA Statement on the Value of Direct to Consumer Advertising

July 05, 2005

Washington, D.C. (July 1, 2005) — PhRMA Senior Vice President Ken Johnson issued the following statement today on the value of direct to consumer advertising to patients:

“Direct to consumer advertising plays an invaluable role informing physicians and patients of new and life-saving medicines.  PhRMA and our member companies are developing voluntary principles to help advance that educational mission.

“Educational advertising empowers patients to seek guidance from their doctors which can lead to earlier detection and treatment of diseases.  A recent national survey by Prevention Magazine and Men’s Health found that 28 million patients talked to their doctor for the first time about a health condition after seeing ads. Clearly, early detection saves lives. That is the real power of education and information.

“Evidence does not link advertising and drug prices. Additionally, a study published last week in Health Affairs shows that for the fifth year in a row, drug spending trends are slowing and last year were below the increase in overall health costs. Prescription medicines deliver tremendous value to society in both health and economic terms and patients should be able to have access to information on the newest medicines available. “

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.  PhRMA members invested an estimated $38.8 billion in 2004 in discovering and developing new medicines.  PhRMA companies are leading the way in the search for new cures.