AMA Calls For Ban On Drug Makers' Direct-To-Consumer Advertising

The American Medical Association on Tuesday (Nov. 17) adopted a policy against allowing drug companies to advertise to consumers because the group says drug ads drive up prescription drug costs. The country’s largest physician group also plans to launch a campaign to keep drug makers from manipulating patent and exclusivity protections to undercut generic competition. Physicians at a policy meeting in Atlanta said the proliferation of ads is driving demand for expensive treatments when cheaper alternatives exist. “Today’s vote in...