Click here to see the video, then come back to find out why I am confused as to how this ad is allowed in Canada, but "outlawed" in the US.
Pfizer's "redecorating-vs-sex" Viagra ad is what the FDA and drug industry call a "reminder ad." According to the FDA, "Reminder advertisements are identified as an exemption to the advertisement regulations, including provisions to provide a brief summary. Reminder advertisements ' . . . call attention to the name of the drug product but do not include indications or dosage recommendations for use of the drug product. . . . and, optionally, information . . . containing no representation or suggestion relating to the advertised drug product.' Reminder advertisements cannot make a representation about the product or suggest a use for the product." See Pharma Marketing Glossary here for more about reminder ads and sources.
Reminder ads are perfectly "legal" in the US, but PhRMA -- the US drug industry trade association -- has banned their use in the US by those member companies that have voluntary signed on to comply with PhRMA's DTC Guidelines. PhRMA DTC Guideline #13 states: "DTC television advertising that identifies a product by name should clearly state the health conditions for which the medicine is approved and the major risks associated with the medicine being advertised."
I guess only Pfizer (US) is a signatory to the PhRMA DTC Guidelines, not Pfizer (Canada), although I think they are the same company having one CEO. In any case, Pfizer would not be able to run the Canadian ad here in the US.
But that begs the question, why does Pfizer Canada run reminder ads in Canada? Presumably, the DTC Guidelines represent best advertising practices that should be followed in every market, not just in the US.
The guidelines were established because of criticisms that reminder ads had no educational benefit other than placing a brand name in viewers heads. More importantly, reminder ad do not give consumers all the necessary information to make an educated health decision. That, the drug industry claims, is the role of DTC advertising and why it should remain legal in the US. But this whole argument is rendered useless when Pfizer allows itself to air reminder ads outside the US.
So, I say to Pfizer, cease and desist that reminder ad campaign in Canada!
P.S. Did I mention that this Canadian ad is demeaning to women? As if sex would be more important than creative decorating! How sexist is that?
I'm no expert on pharma advertising laws in Canada, but my understanding is that drug companies are specifically prohibited from linking a prescription drug to the conditions it is intended to treat. The rationale being that the drug selection is the responsibility of the medical community and "US-style" ads would put undue pressure on doctors from patients to prescribe certain meds.
ReplyDelete(a layman's understanding likely fraught with errors)
This means that the "reminder" ads are the only drug ads that are allowed in Canada. It's only been in the last few years that we've seen any prescription drug ads at all in Canada.
I know these types of ads are "legal" in Canada (and in the US). My question is why Pfizer would agree not to run them in US supposedly because they are bad practice, whereas -- despite being legal -- they run them in Canada. Just because it is leag, doesn't mean it is right. If Pfizer feels that way in the US, why not in Canada?
ReplyDeleteI suppose because they're not allowed to run anything else? A "bad practice" reminder ad is better than no ads at all. (not that I necessarily agree, but that may be the rationale)
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, but it stinks and is one example why people do not trust pharma: it speaks out of both sides of its mouth depending on what suits THEM, not their audience!
ReplyDeleteI cannot watch the video, unfortunately, because I don't seem to find a program for that on this computer. Anyway, I just hate sexist ads whether they are allowed or not.
ReplyDeleteElli