Consumer Reports: Pharma advertising can cost you money

CLEVELAND - Drug companies spend billions of dollars a year on TV and print ads, hoping it will prompt you to ask for their drug by name. And it turns out that's just what people are doing.

The findings

Consumer Reports National Research Center found that one in five people who take a prescription have asked their doctor to prescribe a drug they learned about from advertising. And most of them said their doctors did it.

Consumer Reports said what the ads don't tell you is that newer medications are often no more effective or safer than older ones. And frequently there are better options at a fraction of the cost.

Cheaper Alternatives

Consumer Reports identifies Best Buy drugs for treating type 2 diabetes, asthma, and dozens of other conditions. To earn a Best Buy designation, a drug must be at least as effective and safe as others in its class, based on an independent review of research.

More: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/money/consumer/consumer_reports/consumer-reports%3A-pharma-advertising-can-cost-you-money

Surprise, surprise. :freak: