Four Billion Dollars for Drug Advertising  It's not my
imagination. There is more direct-to-consumer prescription drug
advertising than ever. Ad Age says, " Food and Drug
Administration is pelting drugmakers with letters warning that
they have run afoul of promotional regulations." They write the
FDA's actions are "threatening to tip the $4 billion direct-to-
consumer industry into a full-blown crisis." The FDA has warned
nine companies so far in 2005, compared to 12 in 2004 and five
in 2003. "DTC ads account for nearly a third of the advertising
on the major broadcast network's nightly news programs," notes
AdAge.  This is ridiculous. There's not a doctor I know who
wants random patients to call them about prescribing such and
such a drug. The drug companies have gone too far.  In case you
haven't yet seen it, here's a great takeoff on those nauseating
drug ads: Consumers Union or jib-jab .   censorship can be
justified.  Gee Anon, thanks for pitching in as my "Interpreter"
(and you're probably nowhere as hot