Zzzquil: The Benefits Of Prescription Advertising

Sweet lullaby music plays as a spokesperson says "ZzzQuil- a non-habit forming sleep aide that's not for pain, just for sleep" (Vicks). This frequently played commercial has become well-known in television media. Products like ZzzQuil advertise in magazines and TV to peak consumer interest into purchasing their products. Although seen frequently in the media, prescription advertisements have underlying effects such as: weakening patient-doctor relationships, misinforming their audience, and increasing revenue of the drug company.

Prescription advertisements encourage people to ask their doctor about a specific drug. This weakens a doctor-patient relationship as patients may be convinced that they need that specific advertised drug. If a doctor tries to prescribe something else, the patient may feel undermined for trying or vice versa. It may
Because consumers become more interested in the product, they are more likely to buy that product, and thus an increase in revenue. Advertising in general increases revenue, but increases revenue exponentially in prescription advertisement that, in 2012, prescription drug advertisers spent a total of $3.19 billion (Kannan). This costly investment comes back in around $8 billion, enough to cover the amount spent for advertising and still have a positive revenue. Additionally, the drug company Seldane only netted $100 million before prescription advertising. Currently, with prescription advertising, they net approximately $600 million more (“Selling Sickness”). From a business/investor stand point, this is beneficial to pockets and bank accounts. Business-wise, they can increase drug prices and increase their production to meet supply and demand. Drug companies have good intentions when they first produce their drug, but advertising is for