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Miami Herald
8 hours ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Econometer: Should the US ban drug advertising to consumers?
The U.S. is rare among Western nations because it allows pharmaceutical advertising. But a new effort aims to stop it. A bill was introduced in Congress recently that would ban pharmaceutical manufacturers from using direct-to-consumer advertising, from TV to social media, to promote their products. Prescription drug advertising employs a lot of people, directly and indirectly. Billions are spent on advertising each year, employing advertising workers, and 24.4% of ad minutes were for prescription drugs across evening news programs on ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and NBC this year through May, according to data from iSpot analyzed by The Wall Street Journal. Proponents of the bill say advertising drives up the cost of prescription goods. Pharmaceutical trade groups have said advertisements serve public health by increasing disease awareness and educating consumers about treatment options. Question:Should the U.S. ban drug advertising to consumers? Economists Alan Gin, University of San Diego YES: Advertising is supposed to give consumers more information about products, but are consumers really in a position to make an informed decision about pharmaceuticals? Those decisions are best left to physicians, who probably have more knowledge about the effectiveness of medications. Consumers can be swayed by slick and repetitive ads into wanting products that might not be the best for them. The money spent on the ads will add to the already high price of the drugs. James Hamilton, UC San Diego NO: Proponents of a ban argue that ads cause people to request unnecessary drugs. But advertisements helped several of my friends learn about options that they didn't know were available. I'm also concerned any time the government dictates what companies are allowed to talk about. It's appropriate to ensure ads do not make inaccurate claims. And doctors should always say no if patients request a prescription that the doctor does not believe is going to help them. Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Advertising specific drugs leads to overprescribing, higher drug and insurance prices, and creates bad incentives, like promoting the most profitable drugs. Because insurance limits consumer costs, more prescription drugs are purchased than needed or used. If the goal is to share important information, industry groups can promote a range of treatments for a condition, leaving discussions of individual products to medical professionals. Drugs also carry risks that are not easily captured in 30 seconds. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research NO: Firms do not advertise to raise costs but engage in marketing to inform the public (especially doctors writing prescriptions) of the drug's usefulness. Without marketing, firms would be unable to get information out necessary to make a drug salable in the first place. The drug's value is decided by the marketplace with consumers driving the entire process. Value of advertising is derived from the value consumers place on the drug, not the other way around. Norm Miller, University of San Diego NO: While most physicians try to keep up on the latest drug research, some do not, thus the need for public information about new drugs. What should be mandatory in ads are their efficacy, side effects and potential for addiction, using FDA verified stats. Lies and exaggerations should be illegal. It should also be illegal for drug manufacturers to incentivize or pay doctors for prescribing any drug, and physicians that take such gifts should lose their license. Ray Major, economist YES: Every ad starts with or ends with "ask your doctor if this drug is right for you." Prescription drug advertisement targets consumers hoping they ask their doctor for a specific brand of drug. Consumers are not qualified to self diagnose symptoms and prescribe drugs to themselves based on information from a commercial. Doctors should be prescribing drugs based on a patients' needs and not influenced by patients who have seen an ad for a prescription drug. David Ely, San Diego State University NO: Commercial speech by pharmaceutical companies that is truthful and informative should be protected. A ban on drug advertising goes too far. A better option is enhanced regulation by the FDA and FTC to ensure that the risks and effectiveness of prescription drugs are accurately communicated in advertising to the public. Under a ban, resources would be shifted to increased promotional efforts targeting health care providers so the cost of prescription goods may not decline. Executives Gary London, London Moeder Advisors NO: I am not a big fan of drug advertisements, but unlike cigarette ads, which clearly promoted sickness for generations, at least drugs are lifesaving. The government should not get involved. However, I have never fully understood why pharmaceutical companies promote directly to patients rather than physicians. They complicate medical care. Be that as it may, these advertisements certainly prop up the cable channels, who need the revenue. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates YES: The U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise directly to consumers. Drug ads often downplay the risks, leading to uninformed decisions. Ads can push consumers toward brand-name drugs, even when cheaper alternatives exist. Also, patients may request unnecessary medications, pressuring doctors to prescribe them. Sure, ads can educate, lead to earlier diagnosis, and boost the economy! But let's limit ads during the first few years of release. Phil Blair, Manpower NO: They are a product like any other. With artificial intelligence, clients and patients can educate themselves on various options just like they do with other products. Of course, they should heed their doctors' advice. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: Drugmakers spent $10 billion on direct-to-consumer ads last year. These costs are ultimately reflected in the world's highest per-capita health care bill, with relatively poor health outcomes. Slick spots encourage viewers to "ask your doctor" for brands even when cheaper generics accomplish the same goal. Treatment decisions should be based on clinical evidence, not marketing budgets. Pharma could shift a fraction of this outreach to physician education so that patients will still learn about therapies from an informed source. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: Absolutely. The cost of pharmaceuticals has become prohibitive to patients and providers like hospitals, and the huge cost of advertising is wrapped into those costs. While we want informed patients, pharmaceutical education should be handled by patients' physicians, not a jingle on TV. Advertising also can be misleading and increase the cost of drugs to taxpayers - which is why many countries prohibit advertising. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While I don't enjoy watching the litany of drug advertisements consistently shown on family programming, I don't support a blanket ban. Instead, drug advertising should follow the model currently allowed to cigarette advertising: prohibit ads on TV and radio but allow other forms of advertising with appropriate limitations and regulations. While raising awareness of available treatments can be beneficial, the current barrage of drug advertising is excessive and likely leads to over prescription and increased health care costs. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla sales drop 35% in San Diego County
ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The years of Tesla's autopilot profits have come to a screeching halt with the latest Tesla sales numbers down 35% this February compared to February 2024 in San Diego County. 'If there is a negative change in preferences then a demand for a product goes down,' said Professor Alan Gin, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of San Diego. With Tesla's stock price falling from $479 to $248, investors are worried, and protesters are upping the pressure. 'We are just trying to call attention to the harm he is doing to everyday people,' said Michele Cyr, President of Demco, a progressive activist organization. Protesters from the Democratic group say they have been out in front of the Tesla dealership every Thursday protesting the Department of Government Efficiency's firings of federal workers. 'DOGE to be dismantled, we want Musk fired because he is an unelected billionaire and we want the power of the purse delivered back to Congress,' Cyr said. Tesla has declined to comment on the protests. Kevin Hamilton says his Model 3 is the best car he's ever owned, even if he is on guard. 'Setting cars and charging stations on fire, that's definitely in the back of my head, but I really haven't encountered anything like that around here,' Hamilton said. According to Edmunds, Tesla trade-ins are also on the rise. Gin says that might mean downward pressure on prices. 'I think the trade-in value of the Tesla is going to drop and that will have some impact in terms of the new price,' Gin said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla sales drop 35% in San Diego County
ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The years of Tesla's autopilot profits have come to a screeching halt with the latest Tesla sales numbers down 35% this February compared to February 2024 in San Diego County. 'If there is a negative change in preferences then a demand for a product goes down,' said Professor Alan Gin, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of San Diego. With Tesla's stock price falling from $479 to $248, investors are worried, and protesters are upping the pressure. 'We are just trying to call attention to the harm he is doing to everyday people,' said Michele Cyr, President of Demco, a progressive activist organization. Protesters from the Democratic group say they have been out in front of the Tesla dealership every Thursday protesting the Department of Government Efficiency's firings of federal workers. 'DOGE to be dismantled, we want Musk fired because he is an unelected billionaire and we want the power of the purse delivered back to Congress,' Cyr said. Tesla has declined to comment on the protests. Kevin Hamilton says his Model 3 is the best car he's ever owned, even if he is on guard. 'Setting cars and charging stations on fire, that's definitely in the back of my head, but I really haven't encountered anything like that around here,' Hamilton said. According to Edmunds, Tesla trade-ins are also on the rise. Gin says that might mean downward pressure on prices. 'I think the trade-in value of the Tesla is going to drop and that will have some impact in terms of the new price,' Gin said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Multiple Teslas vandalized at California dealership
ENCINITAS, Calif. (KSWB) – A California Tesla dealership was vandalized early Monday. Multiple cars were found with swastikas spray-painted on them, and several windows of the dealership building were spray-painted with swastikas and profanity. More Local News The incident occurred around 5 a.m., the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Monday. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made. The vandalism comes two days after a protest at the same Tesla dealership where community members rallied against federal funding cuts. Protesters could be seen holding signs with messages like 'boycott Tesla' and 'save Social Security.' Oregon man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealership Other incidents of vandalism have occurred around the country, including two incidents at an Oregon dealership where shots were fired and Molotov cocktails thrown at a dealership. A 41-year-old man faces charges for those incidents. Four Tesla Cybertrucks were also burned in an incident in Seattle. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Alan Gin, associate professor of economics at the University of San Diego, says no car company has seen such a dramatic swing in such a short time. 'A lot of people don't like Elon Musk's activities, and as a result, Tesla sales have fallen all over the world,' Gin said. Tesla owners who love their cars say they are in a tough spot. 'Solar powered, we thought we were doing a good thing, and now regret it, embarrassed, don't know what to do,' said Erin Maffia, a Tesla owner. The Encinitas Tesla dealership declined to comment on the vandalism. Fire that damaged four Tesla Cybertrucks in Seattle under investigation Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff's Office at 858-868-3200. To remain anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
18-03-2025
- The Hill
Multiple Teslas vandalized at California dealership
ENCINITAS, Calif. (KSWB) – A California Tesla dealership was vandalized early Monday. Multiple cars were found with swastikas spray-painted on them, and several windows of the dealership building were spray-painted with swastikas and profanity. The incident occurred around 5 a.m., the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Monday. No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made. The vandalism comes two days after a protest at the same Tesla dealership where community members rallied against federal funding cuts. Protesters could be seen holding signs with messages like 'boycott Tesla' and 'save Social Security.' Oregon man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealership Other incidents of vandalism have occurred around the country, including two incidents at an Oregon dealership where shots were fired and Molotov cocktails thrown at a dealership. A 41-year-old man faces charges for those incidents. Four Tesla Cybertrucks were also burned in an incident in Seattle. Alan Gin, associate professor of economics at the University of San Diego, says no car company has seen such a dramatic swing in such a short time. 'A lot of people don't like Elon Musk's activities, and as a result, Tesla sales have fallen all over the world,' Gin said. Tesla owners who love their cars say they are in a tough spot. 'Solar powered, we thought we were doing a good thing, and now regret it, embarrassed, don't know what to do,' said Erin Maffia, a Tesla owner. The Encinitas Tesla dealership declined to comment on the vandalism. Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff's Office at 858-868-3200. To remain anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
