Bernie Sanders Pushes For Ban On Prescription Drug Ads

Senator Bernie Sanders along with Senator Angus King wants to ban prescription drug advertising on TV, radio, print and social media.

The two senators plan to introduce a bill to ban pharmaceutical companies from direct-to-consumer advertising. Under the proposed bill, promotional communications targeting consumers would be prohibited, including through TV, radio, print, digital platforms, and social media, and would apply to all prescription drug ads.

“The American people don’t want to see misleading and deceptive prescription drug ads on television,” Sanders says. “They want us to take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry and ban these bogus ads.”

Sanders and King, who caucus with the Democrats, say their proposal is similar to one suggested by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The senators cited a report indicating that the pharmaceutical industry spends $5 billion per year on advertising.

“The widespread use of direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies drives up costs and doesn’t necessarily make patients healthier,” King said. “The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs to protect people. This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible and from the right source: their providers and not biased advertisements.”