Through September of last year the FDA has told companies to fix distorted ads just 18 times. This is off the pace from last year when 64 warnings were issued for the full year. The slowdown is especially disconcerting in light of a 10 percent increase over last year in the promotional material under review by the agency and an increase in public complaints.

The amount drug companies have spent on promotions has increased dramatically over the last several years. Source: IMS Health Inc.

Drug companies spent more than $19 billion last year to promote their products to consumers and doctors. That is nearly double the amount that was spent four years ago.

Without a close watch on ads, consumers might be inadequately informed about the side effects of drugs or get a distorted impression that a new, more expensive drug is markedly more effective or safer than an older and cheaper product. With the cost of prescriptions rising faster than other parts of the health care bill, the last thing the country needs are more consumers clamoring for high-cost drugs that are not much better than others.

Americans will spend over $500 billion on drugs this year, and that does not include the $100 billion that President Bush is trying to get approved for the Medicare drug benefit program.

Does anyone out there really believe that Americans are getting half a trillion dollars of benefits from these drugs? Drug companies are not stupid. They have been able to change the rules so they can now market to consumers directly. It is no wonder why two-thirds of doctor visits result in a drug prescription.

What are the results of drug company ad campaigning?

Drug company ad campaigns are one of the main reasons why spending for prescription drugs is the fastest-growing category of health care expenditures.

It is also one of the major contributing factors as to why physicians are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.; physicians rely on drugs to patch up the problem, rather than seeking the cause.

What can you do about this problem?

You do not have to capitulate! This newsletter, and many other fabulous resources that are now available, will help enable you to take control of your own health.

One of the most important aspects of controlling your own health is selection of foods that will promote health. If you haven't already reviewed the nutrition plan, I would encourage you to try it, as it is one of my foundational pillars of healing.

The other major issue is to address the root cause of your illness. In my experience, well over 50 percent of the time this involves addressing the underlying stress in your life. I have found that EFT is one of the most effective solutions for dealing with stress.

Related Articles:

Consumer Drug Ads Not Properly Monitored

Drug Companies Triple Money on Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads

Fighting the Drug (Ad) Wars