From: Tony D [tldag@home.com]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001 9:31 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Television advertising of prescription drugs

To Whom It May Concern:

As a parent, I am extremely concerned and outraged by the message the pharmaceutical companies are sending our children about taking drugs.  We are bombarded daily with T.V. ads that make it seem very normal to be taking many different drugs for every symptom possible.  Since when does "Shyness" require taking a drug?  Not only does this work against our teaching them: "don't take drugs", it also teaches them that their health is simply a matter of popping pills, rather than taking responsibility for eating right and living a healthy lifestyle.

 Another major concern is for older people who really do need life-saving medication.  These people cannot afford the continually escalating costs of their medicine because of the ridiculous amount of advertising being done by these companies.  Another concern:  The fourth leading cause of death in this country is from the negative interactions of taking many different prescription medications.  I urge you to STOP this advertising before we become a country where EVERYONE is addicted to or incapacitated by the negative side effects of  these drugs.   Our children deserve much better.
 
Lenore Daguanno
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI