[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Even better because you know what you are talking about

I've never been a fan of direct to consumer drug marketing, ever since Merrill-Dow put out that 1st vaguely veiled trental commercial 30 years ago. It's confusing to patients, doesn't really enhance patient care, and in many cases you are right--I also consider it a waste of money. But the executives at the pharmaceutical company must disagree. Now, however, the ads are ridiculous, both in number and scope. After listening to their endless list of "side effects", I'll bet patient compliance with their prescription meds has taken a quantum drop. Heck, if I didn't know better I wouldn't take what I take either. I find it amazing that most of the ad focuses on the 2-3% "side effects" rather than the 98% effect that the drug was designed for. Coincidentally, I just returned from my pharmacy where my wife's meds cost over $400/month out of pocket
The colonoscopy story is ridiculous, I've never seen a denial for a procedure that had a 100% indication. I suspect the 1st representative was , well to put it politely, confused. I also think your husband shouldn't have had to be the one arguing, his doctor should, and frankly, we get better results. I'm really amazed at that denial, and that was from a privately employed worker at a private insurance company that has some vested interest in customer satisfaction--after all they have competition. A little scary to think what will happen when government bureaucrats run the whole show.

Not to mention how much time is wasted in the exam room discussing why the heavily advertised drug is not being prescribed. Everyone wants the one they saw on TV, not the one that has been used effectively and safely over the years. A new drug was not added to our formulary unless and until it demonstrated a definite and significant advantage in its class.