New TV Commercial...

sh1901 · Jan 13, 2009

I agree with Firestarter. I do not think that there should be prescription drug commercials on TV. I think that only pushes people to go to their physician and demand a medication (and it happens more and more all the time). Many places have made changes concerning what drug reps are permitted to do in order to help keep the doctors medication decisions non-biased...so why should a patient with no medical training be able to watch a commercial for a medication and come to their physician and insist on a specific drug. I know, I know, the physician should not just "give in" and give the patient what they want...but that's a whole different topic!! :chuckle

Nicole2010 · Jan 13, 2009

I previously worked OB/GYN for 9 years and we were dreading the day that Plan B was advertised. Im afraid females will use that as a form of regular birth control, even though it throws off your cycle, can make you have nausea/vomitting, & it doesnt always work.

Its never a good idea to load your body full of hormones at one time. Plus it doesnt protect you from STDs. It just seems like in the commercial they show women picking up the meds and going on with life, like its no big deal.

Its scary to think that this is acceptable advertising

Koyaanisqatsi-RN · Jan 13, 2009

I'm totally against all prescription drug ads on TV. I think they are unethical. They used to be forbidden, I'm not sure when that changed, but everytime I see a drug ad I cringe.

Ahh, now we're getting to the real issue. I agree with this 100%. When you think about it, advertising is meant to obfuscate clarity, and mislead people. Advertising drugs doesn't make that any different. It's scary to think how these drugs are being marketed to people, with them being encouraged to 'ask their doctor' about something which previously had not even been an issue.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 13, 2009

I'm totally against all prescription drug ads on TV. I think they are unethical. They used to be forbidden, I'm not sure when that changed, but everytime I see a drug ad I cringe.

according to a prev. poster, it isnt prescription.....

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 13, 2009

I agree about the prescription drug adds. They all bother me.

However, Plan B is not a prescription drug. It is sold over-the-counter as a contraceptive method. It does not require a visit to the doctor. This places it in the same category as other OTC health products such as cold remedies, condoms, spermicides, etc. The only difference is that it is a contraceptive method that can be used after intercourse -- but must be used VERY SOON after intercourse to prevent the pregnancy (too soon, in many cases to get a doctor's appointment).

Some people are against contraceptive advertising of any kind because they are against contraception. Other people will object because they mistakenly believe it terminates existing pregnancies.

I have no problem with advertising OTC contraception -- assuming it is done "tastefully" and not on children's TV shows, etc.

allnurses Guide · Jan 13, 2009

I'm totally against all prescription drug ads on TV. I think they are unethical. They used to be forbidden, I'm not sure when that changed, but everytime I see a drug ad I cringe.

Where did my post go? :confused:

Anyway, this is a good point.

Also, there are many threads here on allnurses where we rail against seeing condom, lady partsl itching, erectile dysfunction ads . ... especially when the kids are sitting next to you on the couch watching that football game.

The controversy for pro-life folks like me is the definition of "pregnancy". We believe life begins at conception, so taking a drug that stops a fertilized egg from implanting is destroying life. It just isn't a simple question.

"Emergency contraception is designed to prevent pregnancy, and no matter when it is used, EC will not cause an abortion. This means that if a woman takes Plan B who already has a fertilized egg implanted in her uterus, EC will not terminate the pregnancy."

However, it will not allow a fertilized egg to implant.

Oh .. just remembered what else I wrote in the missing post . .. .my daughter had a friend who confided in me that her BF had cheated on her and did I think she needed to be tested for STD's. I said yes. My daughter and two other friends took her to a local clinic where she was tested. As they walked out, brown paper bags were thrust into their hands. Inside were a bunch of condoms and two boxes of Plan B. With NO explanation, no advice, no teaching about follow up. That was dangerous, in my mind.

fiveofpeep · Jan 13, 2009

Im glad they showed it on a commercial because it educates the public on the fact that you can just go grab it instead of waiting 8 hrs at planned parenthood, or trying to get in with your busy MD or urgent care. The commercial states something about it not being used for birth control and regardless of whether you can get it OTC there are always going to be people using it too frequently. I was happy to see the Ad though, because I had been wondering if it was OTC yet and now I know that if condoms and OCP somehow fail, I can just go to the supermarket.

fiveofpeep · Jan 13, 2009

I'm totally against all prescription drug ads on TV. I think they are unethical. They used to be forbidden, I'm not sure when that changed, but everytime I see a drug ad I cringe.

As an aside,

OOOOOOMMMMMMMMGGGGGG, can anyone say Abilify!?

I have seen three different commercials recommending Abilify for everything including your garden variety depression and bipolar. It's like Abilify is trying to stretch its money making abilities. Im sure it can help with psychotic factors in those conditions, and I am no prescriber so I really cant say what I'd prescribe it for besides + and - symptoms of schizophrenia, but those commercials seem a tad misleading.

RutterMama · Jan 13, 2009

Where did my post go?
Anyway, this is a good point.
Also, there are many threads here on allnurses where we rail against seeing condom, lady partsl itching, erectile dysfunction ads . ... especially when the kids are sitting next to you on the couch watching that football game.
The controversy for pro-life folks like me is the definition of "pregnancy". We believe life begins at conception, so taking a drug that stops a fertilized egg from implanting is destroying life. It just isn't a simple question.
"Emergency contraception is designed to prevent pregnancy, and no matter when it is used, EC will not cause an abortion. This means that if a woman takes Plan B who already has a fertilized egg implanted in her uterus, EC will not terminate the pregnancy."

However, it will not allow a fertilized egg to implant.
Oh .. just remembered what else I wrote in the missing post . .. .my daughter had a friend who confided in me that her BF had cheated on her and did I think she needed to be tested for STD's. I said yes. My daughter and two other friends took her to a local clinic where she was tested. As they walked out, brown paper bags were thrust into their hands. Inside were a bunch of condoms and two boxes of Plan B. With NO explanation, no advice, no teaching about follow up. That was dangerous, in my mind.

Hey Spidy's Mom - sorry your post went missing. Anyways... I agree with you 100%!!! I believe that LIFE BEGINS WITH CONCEPTION! Anything to prevent the egg from fertalizing is the destroying of life.

With that said... NO I do NOT believe in not using contraceptives at all. The Birth Control pill, Diaphram, Condoms, Depo Shot... all of these are acceptable. BUT - anything that will destroy a pregnancy, that is NOT acceptable.

As far as these 'planned parenthood' type places... those are a whole nother hot topic with me. You are right, they shove a brown paper bag in your hand with condoms and plan B - and sometimes you will be lucky enough to get a couple of pamphlets! No explination at all!

Ok, I could go on & on... but i'm hungry. Time for a grilled cheese!

Koyaanisqatsi-RN · Jan 13, 2009

As far as these 'planned parenthood' type places... those are a whole nother hot topic with me. You are right, they shove a brown paper bag in your hand with condoms and plan B - and sometimes you will be lucky enough to get a couple of pamphlets! No explination at all!

Have you ever been into a Planned Parenthood? This is not what they do, at all.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

Hey Spidy's Mom - sorry your post went missing. Anyways... I agree with you 100%!!! I believe that LIFE BEGINS WITH CONCEPTION! Anything to prevent the egg from fertalizing is the destroying of life.
With that said... NO I do NOT believe in not using contraceptives at all. The Birth Control pill, Diaphram, Condoms, Depo Shot... all of these are acceptable. BUT - anything that will destroy a pregnancy, that is NOT acceptable.
As far as these 'planned parenthood' type places... those are a whole nother hot topic with me. You are right, they shove a brown paper bag in your hand with condoms and plan B - and sometimes you will be lucky enough to get a couple of pamphlets! No explination at all!
Ok, I could go on & on... but i'm hungry. Time for a grilled cheese!

This is a very controversial topic ! I had to give a presentation on abortions and had to write a five page paper on it. I believe in a womens right to chose. My best friend had 4 abortions and had the plan b several times. All for different reasons. One of the times she got pregnant at 16 by a 37 year old, who was also in the military. This is just an example of different reasons women may end conception or have abortions. As a student and soon to be nurse, I think its extremly important not to be judgemental. There are pros and cons to plan B ( I won't go into detail). I've had to use it before when in high school. I'm thankful that I didn't become a teen parent and had the option to go to the clinic. The nurse at my clinic did not just hand me a paper bag, she eduacated me and told me all about the drug. just my :twocents:

Koyaanisqatsi-RN · Jan 13, 2009

This is a very controversial topic ! I had to give a presentation on abortions and had to write a five page paper on it. I believe in a womens right to chose. My best friend had 4 abortions and had the plan b several times. All for different reasons. One of the times she got pregnant at 16 by a 37 year old, who was also in the military. This is just an example of different reasons women may end conception or have abortions. As a student and soon to be nurse, I think its extremly important not to be judgemental. There are pros and cons to plan B ( I won't go into detail). I've had to use it before when in high school. I'm thankful that I didn't become a teen parent and had the option to go to the clinic. The nurse at my clinic did not just hand me a paper bag, she eduacated me and told me all about the drug. just my

Well said! When we admit that there are shades of grey, and sometimes life is not always as simple as an ideology would have us believe, that's when we can be at our most compassionate and effective as nurses.