14 Drug Makers Told to Stop Using Some Internet Ads

[Why Syzygy]

By BLOOMBERG NEWS
Published: April 3, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration ordered 14 drug makers to stop using what it called misleading ads on Internet search engines. The agency faulted the companies for failing to identify product names and side effects in sponsored search results, according to its Web site.

Companies and interest groups pay search engine operators like Google to post links to their Web sites in a sidebar after someone types in a related search term. With drug makers, the links usually include a headline and blurb about the relevant medical condition or product. The companies receiving letters were Bayer, Biogen Idec, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cephalon, Eli Lilly, Forest Laboratories, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and Sanofi-Aventis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/business/04bizbriefs-14DRUGMAKERS_BRF.html?ref=business

[uppityperson]

1. Good. Medicine should not be advertised to prospective takers

There should be info available to any who want to check out a med, but should not be advertised to sell. "ask your doctor is emplexion is right for you" should not be allowed. Iding product names and side effects should be required. It took me ages to figure out wtf was special about a purple pill.

[Why Syzygy]

2. I wonder

if they are responsible for the spam as well. I just deleted one for CIALIS. :eyes: