Just a short 15 years ago, seeing an ad for a pharmaceutical drug on TV was much different than it is today, due to certain regulatory limitations on these companies in their advertising.
In 1997, that all changed, and pharmaceuticals in many forms were then actively advertised on TV due to less restrictions, with the blessings of the FDA, as long as certain guidelines were adhered to.
Most responsible practitioners found this new license to advertise these drugs absolutely appalling.
A whole generation is now growing up with exposure to these drugs on a daily basis, and thinking nothing of it…so much so, that they often believe taking a drug for a specific problem is simply a matter of course, and to heck with any potential side effects. After all, it’s advertised on TV, so it must be safe, right?
The side effects that are required to be reported are often skimmed by quickly, and via the power of advertising…using all sorts of near-embedded suggestion, neuro linguistic programming, and other forms of active and passive influence on the viewer through visual/imagery content, audio content and sometimes even word trickery, the industry has skyrocketed from approximately 220 million in 1997, to over 2.8 billion in 2002, according to stats found online.
“Skyrocketed” is putting it mildly. This has become such a booming industry, that it in large part now supports our faultering world-wide economy. Note how many ads you’ll see on TV relating to prescription and over the counter drugs. You will see them almost without exception during almost every show there is.
Selling a product that a person will likely become addicted to, causing repeat sales over the course of their lifetime, will tend to support the economy.
But at whose ultimate cost?
And as the side effects are experienced, often other new drugs are put into the addiction to help off-set those symptoms in turn.
I don’t see much difference between what these corporations are doing, and the crack dealer downtown on the side street.
After all, both drugs provide perceived benefits, with some potentially serious side effects.
The difference is that the latter dealer is put in jail for it.
Am I suggesting everyone get off their prescription drugs?
NO…absolutely not.
What I am saying is that pharmaceutical drugs should be a very last resort. That other options exist that may be healthier. That their advertisements are *designed* to sell you something…*designed to sell you something*…and that if you’re not conscious of this fact, you may fall victim to it.
I even go so far as to say that in some instances, some of the healthier options that may be in the form of vitamin supplements, may even be in part owned by some sub-corp of a pharmaceutical company.
But, insurance companies don’t cover vitamin supplements, and the mark-ups on pharmaceutical drugs are often much much higher.
No one is really doing too much of anything wrong. It’s our responsibility to be aware, educate ourselves, be conscious of what’s going on. After all, the drug ads ARE telling you, that you likely WILL suffer side effects of a huge range of sorts, if you use their product.
They gave you all the Notice they need to legally give you.
Now it’s up to you to make a decision and take responsibility for the results.
Love, Happiness, Health and Peace………….Tim