Drugmakers aim to polish image with ad blitz

[radfringe]

Drugmakers aim to polish image with ad blitz
Facing possibility of more oversight, industry moves to align with reform
By Ceci Connolly
1/8/09 - Washington Post - MSNBC

The pharmaceutical industry, confronting sluggish growth, low prestige and the prospect of more-aggressive government oversight, is moving on several fronts to burnish its image and align itself rhetorically with the health reform goals of President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress.

Conceding that it has long been viewed as Republican-dominated, the industry's lobbying arm plans to spend tens of millions of dollars on an advertising blitz promoting Obama-style health coverage for every American. The first spot — sponsored by the drug lobby, consumer and labor groups, and health providers — will be unveiled today.

Beginning this month, drug companies also will voluntarily submit to a host of marketing restrictions in an attempt to preempt stricter regulations that lawmakers in both parties are pursuing.

"We had better self-police and stop doing the things that cause so much criticism, or we're going to get legislated and regulated by government," said W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, the Republican former congressman who runs the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a trade association. The changes, he said in an interview, are an effort to move away from the industry's "slash-and-burn kind of policy" in response to previous regulatory and legislative efforts.

---snip---

"PhRMA had been isolated into a one-party camp," Tauzin said. "We're trying to reposition as less of a partisan player."

[Gman]

1. There they go again... putting lipstick on a pig

the RW loves to hide what they really are. Can't stand the light of day.

[Romulox]

2. The potential payoff is huge: every American required to buy into MANDATORY insurance.

[madokie]

4. Health care was less expensive

back before the big push for companies to provide health insurance. In most cases co-pay is more now than it used to cost straight up.

[Gman]

5. Nothing is MANDATORY

quit posting that shit.

[Romulox]

7. Not yet, but that is indeed the plan.

And I'll post what I like. :hi:

[Gman]

9. That's right wing bullshit disinformation

[PA Democrat]

3. Oh goody. We get to pay for their ad blitz in the form of higher drug prices.

The US needs to ban direct consumer marketing by the drug companies as is done in every other developed country in the world except the US and New Zealand.

[NOW tense]

6. Does this mean I don't have to hear about Cialis anymore?

Seriously! I can state the side affects because it has been drilled into my head. If I see another couple in two bathtubs out in the middle of nowhere.......

[bdamomma]

8. stupid commercials.

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. Pictures of the new ads from 23/6