How do you feel about famous Doctors doing medication ads?

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Dr. Jarvik does Lipitor ads big time, on tv, in several major publications and I believe I saw a internet ad also. I do not approve. I know there is a lot of money changing hands here and it would be hard to turn down. I wish the drug company would stop spending so much on these high priced ads and reduce the price of their medication which is too high.:angryfire

Specializes in Medical Telemetry, LTC,AlF, Skilled care.

The commercials for Lipitor don't bother me, what does bother me are the commercials for all those weight loss pills and diets where they a physician endorsing that because it is just crap.

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Specializes in Tele, Infectious Disease, OHN.

What about the ones for IBS where they say something like "tell your doctor blah, blah,blah. Or better yet, complete a survey in the waiting room and giive it to the doctor..Seems like a fine line between assessing patient's history and just giving them a script to read for their part.

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

The very first thing I think when I see those kind of ads is

"Hmmm I wonder what kinds of stocks he has it the product or pharmasutical company's he has?"

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.
:uhoh21: that's the first thing i thought about too. lol :lol2: he needs to get a makeover from the royalities.

when i see the commercials with dr. jarvik i can't even pay attention to what he is saying because he looks so weird. those eyes, that hair.....the man looks like an alien.

generally, i am against doctors doing commercials for the big pharma companies. of course they get kick backs from prescribing drugs. if it is not monetary, then it is being wined and dined or free vacations.

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Specializes in Rehab.

I probably pass out more Lipitor than he does. Where's my free vacation?! :bluecry1:

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I agree. I think those are pretty hokey too.

The commercials for Lipitor don't bother me, what does bother me are the commercials for all those weight loss pills and diets where they a physician endorsing that because it is just crap.
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As long as the drug is something the doctor would prescribe, I see no problem.
How do you feel knowing he can't?

https://allnurses.com/forums/f100/dr-jarvik-investigated-drug-pitchman-281486.html#post2657385

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Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....
When I see the commercials with Dr. Jarvik I can't even pay attention to what he is saying because he looks so weird. Those eyes, that hair.....the man looks like an alien.

Generally, I am against doctors doing commercials for the big pharma companies. Of course they get kick backs from prescribing drugs. If it is not monetary, then it is being wined and dined or free vacations.

Jarvik was just at our facility a couple weeks ago to demonstrate his left heart assist by implanting it in a pig. It will be implanted in human patients at our facility starting in March. He didn't look like an alien to me, he did cut the hair. My wife wasn't a big fan of the balding hippie look either.

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If an MD is receiving a significant amt of money to do an ad, do you think he is more likely to perscribe a certain med over another. Like, hey I bet Zetia would work great for you, but since I'm kindof tied to Lipitor, let's go that route. Do you suppose there's any chance that that MD might not have the pts best interests at heart?

I wouldn't worry about Jarvik prescribing Lipitor over other drugs, since he's not licensed to practice medicine in any state.

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