- Proof that people would rather take a risk on nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stroke, heart attack, coma and death – than deal with restless legs
- Ads presenting an alternate reality, in which scenes of people enjoying life are accompanied by a voice-over warning of the disgusting and terrible things that could happen if a product is actually used
- Discriminatory ads failing to offer products to people with liver or kidney problems, and women who are pregnant or may become pregnant
- Ads attempting to get men to ask their doctors questions
Usage Example: “Hey doctor, I saw a prescription drug ad for a drug that could help clear up my skin. Is it right for me? I’m cool with all of the diarrhea and death stuff.”
Background: Prescription drug ads seek to do the impossible. They are attempting to get people to buy a product while verbally communicating a list of at least twenty horrible things that could happen if the product is used.
Normally, if a person is approached with the option of dealing with an annoying physical problem or rolling the dice on coma, death, paralysis or permanent muscle spasms – the decision is simple. But tell them all of this while showing people picking apples, playing with grand-kids, or sitting in bathtubs, and people lose their minds.
Prescription drug ads also visually communicate the following:
- If you have psoriasis and take a drug, you will jump and swim in pools.
- If you have ED and take a drug, you will suddenly place two bathtubs outside and sit in them.
- If you are bipolar and take a drug, you will take creepy pictures of kids in sandboxes and walk along the beach.
- If you have fibromyalgia and take a drug, you will handle potted plants and look at documents on a table… instead of grabbing your shoulder.
