NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
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Prescription Drugs on TV

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Sara Bellum
October 18, 2011

You’ve probably seen television commercials advertising prescription drugs for any number of things—from fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-al-ja) to depression. Usually these ads end with an announcer running through a long list of dangerous side effects and warnings so fast that viewers can’t possibly get all of them, even when they include death.

Did you know that the United States and New Zealand are the only countries in the world that allow prescription drug companies to market medications directly to the public?

Some drug companies even use celebrity spokespersons, such as pro golfer Phil Mickelson who appears in a commercial promoting a drug for arthritis. The ad shows a vibrant green golf course on a sunny day while the background voice states that “sometimes fatal events” could occur in people who use the drug. Those include infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma and other cancers, and blood disorders. But the voice listing these effects seems more like an afterthought.

Risk of Addiction

Some prescription drugs marketed on TV carry the risk of addiction if they are abused. For example, Ambien is a central nervous system depressant prescribed for sleep disorders and could lead to addiction if not used as prescribed.

An Ambien TV commercial appeals to the viewer through humor—a rooster in the bedroom—and also through the promise of a good night’s sleep. However, the side effects listed at the end of the commercial are cause for concern—abnormal behaviors like being more outgoing or aggressive, confused, agitated, and even experiencing hallucinations. Ambien might also worsen depression and increase suicide risk.

Stay Alert to Marketing Gimmicks

In a previous blog, we talked about truth in advertising with alcohol commercials during the 2011 Super Bowl. The purpose of commercials for any product—alcohol, candy, cleaning supplies, or medications—is to sell that product.

The Food and Drug Administration oversees advertising that drug companies put on TV, but it doesn’t control how viewers react to the ads. A survey of 500 physicians reported that 78 percent of physicians believe their patients understand the possible benefits of the drugs they saw in a commercial, but only 40 percent believe their patients understand the possible risks. About 75 percent of physicians surveyed believe that commercials for medications make people think the drug works better than it does.

So, when you watch TV, see if you recognize shows and commercials about prescription drug abuse and think about whether or not what you’re seeing is accurate.


hi, I am agree with you
nice post you are given
tanks a lot.
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this is a great way 4 teens 2 kno bout the dangers of drugs, on the other hand the more sumone tells them more about the risks makes them wanta do it even more.


yea kids shud not do pills cuz they will do it till they almost dieing so we need to find a way to make kids not to do drugs or pills

Informative and useful information. I recommend this post. [commercial link removed, per guidelines]

Nice post.very informative article and helpful.thanks

It is a good topic that is being discussed here. I think that USA should also ban TV commercials for prescription drugs.Here in Bosnia, only painkillers and similar anti flue drugs that you can get without any prescription, are being advertised. Honestly,I would ban that too.
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aight dis site haz da SWAG in da hawse and made me knowt have no partyies wit my drugs yo dawdg.
i aaint havin no dang fpharm partyies wit my drugs now i knowse dat itzzz illesgal an dangerousesese yo . :)

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