From: Kathie Best [bestk@opeuseiu.org]
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 8:40 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Commercial Speech

Re: Commercial Speech Laws

I am writing regarding the US Food and Drug Administration's authority over
commercial speech.  My concern lies primarily with the pharmaceutical
companies' advertisement of prescription drugs.

Weakening the advertising laws just doesn't make good sense.  It's appalling
to hear the pharmaceutical companies' current ads, aimed primarily at our
seniors and ailing population, touting the miracle results of their pills,
many of which will not, or do not affectively work for many people.  Should
the consumer be making choices on drugs they know nothing about?  Shouldn't
those decisions be left to the doctors who go to school for so many years to
determine?  Many people will request a brand name drug rather than its
generic counterpart, based solely on the recommendation or suggestion from a
television ad - driving healthcare costs up.  Some of the drug ads don't
even say what the drug is for...you should just ask you healthcare
professional about it!  What's that about?!

Healthcare costs continue to skyrocket and a major part of the increases are
due to the costs of pharmaceuticals.  Of course people want a miracle drug
that will make them feel better or take away their pain, but with the
current situation, what is this really costing us?  With healthcare out of
so many people's reach, access to these drugs for just a few just isn't
worth it.  Adding to those costs is criminal.

Americans need to address the healthcare crisis in the country, beginning
with the agency we look to for protection, the FDA.  Whenever universal
healthcare rears it's head, you can be sure that the pharmaceutical
companies, and their hefty bank accounts, are there to stop it in its
tracks.  We might not be able to fight fire with fire, match them dollar for
dollar, but we can demand regulation and we certainly can keep them from
running more of their big bucks schemes on the American public.

If they spend any more money on advertising these drugs, where will the cost
be recuperated?  From the public...no doubt.

Please do not weaken the advertising laws.

Sincerely,

Kathie Best