Yes I make my living on the back of DTC ads. That is one good reason I like them. But a more important reason is I learn what treatments might be available. I suffer from chronic sinusitis which makes me feel miserable much of the time. Having had two surgeries with no lasting effect, I […]
Author Archive | Bob Ehrlich
By Bob Ehrlich
January 25, 2016
DTC in Perspective: Prescription Thugs? Really?
Yes, that is the name of a new documentary that hit theaters Friday, January 22. It is by a documentary film maker Chris Bell. While I doubt it has a wide release, the media will enjoy reviewing it and telling us it is a must see. The only preview I could get was a two […]
By Bob Ehrlich
January 15, 2016
DTC in Perspective: Pradaxa Comes Back to Television
Welcome back to Pradaxa, a drug to prevent stroke, with a new ad campaign. The new television ad is quite unique. It is entirely a simulation of what happens in a blood clot caused by atrial fibrillation. What is really interesting is the use of swimming fish to represent blood cells. The competition Eliquis and […]
By Bob Ehrlich
January 11, 2016
DTC in Perspective: A New Year of DTC Challenges
Twenty years of DTC advertising has not seemed to be enough time to gain acceptance by physicians, consumer advocates, and politicians. In fact the anti-DTC sentiment seems to be reaching a frenzy this election cycle. I have discussed before why this is happening. In brief, it is because of the false assumptions that DTC raises […]
By Bob Ehrlich
January 6, 2016
DTC in Perspective: DTC Spending Remains Strong in 2015
Judging by the first three quarters spending numbers from Nielsen, DTC should continue to grow in 2015 and 2016 versus the strong 2014 showing. Last year was the strongest spending in five years. DTC will probably grow more modestly in 2015 off a much higher base of $4.5 billion in 2014. DTC grew to $3.8 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
January 5, 2016
DTC in Perspective: The Stuart Elliott Flip on DTC
Who is Stuart Elliott and why should we care what he thinks? Let me back up a bit. Stuart Elliott was the advertising reporter for the New York Times for over 20 years. He left in 2014 to write for Media Village.com. In a column written on 12/9 Mr. Elliott said he no longer supports […]
By Bob Ehrlich
December 4, 2015
DTC in Perspective: The AMA Firestorm
The recent announcement by the American Medical Association(AMA) calling for a ban on DTC ads has created a media avalanche of coverage. Google ?AMA DTC ban? and you get numerous articles covering the issue. Many are from newspapers with letters/op-eds supporting the ban of DTC. The prestigious New York Timesran an editorial on November 27 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
November 23, 2015
DTC in Perspective: American Medical Association(AMA) Calls for DTC Ban
The AMA announced through a statement on 11/17 that they just voted to support a ban on DTC advertising. They cited the causes as over-prescribing of more expensive treatments and rising prescription prices. The AMA is being hypocritical since doctors advertise directly to consumers. Insurance companies advertise health coverage to consumers. Labs and test centers […]
By Bob Ehrlich
November 16, 2015
DTC in Perspective: The Media Bias Against DTC
I don?t mean to sound paranoid but it seems to me that media reporting on DTC is heavily biased negatively. Maybe it reflects the media?s general anti-big business attitude. I recently came across a Los Angeles Times article on DTC, focused on risk communication. It is titled ?Direct-to-consumer marketing is a scandal, can the FDA […]
By Bob Ehrlich
November 6, 2015
DTC in Perspective: New Study Says Consumers Want DTC Regulation
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently asked consumers about DTC advertising and drug affordability in a recent poll. There is some good news and bad news for drug advertisers in the poll. The good news is a 51% majority of Americans say DTC advertising is a good thing. While that is not an overwhelming mandate in […]
