A bad prescription for drug commercials
We’ve all been there. You’re stuck watching a television show without the blessings of a DVR. Then a prescription drug commercial happens across your television. It’s an unfortunate place.
Most of these prescription drug commercials involve a picture-perfect family, frolicking around on a warm spring afternoon. There’s usually a couple of kids. Maybe a white picket fence. A dog. Nice sports car. But they all have one thing in common: They’re really active.
Or there’s the old couple. They give each other the “eyes.” You know what’s on their minds. Especially if they live in a retirement community.
Then there’s the young couple who have the same “eyes’ for each other, but something’s wrong. They have a secret they have to reveal. That secret is usually the result of a one-night stand during spring break.
Imagine being an actor/actress taking the call from your agent to audition for a commercial. Imagine getting that spot where you have to hold your stomach because you’re about to destroy the throne. Hollywood isn’t in your future.
You ever pay attention to prescription drug commercials? You pay attention to the list of side effects?
They go something like this: Do not take [this drug] if you have a bowel blockage. Seek help if you develop severe stomach pain, especially if accompanied by bloody stool. The most common side effect is diarrhea, sometimes severe. You can stop right there. It’s a broken record. All prescription drugs are accompanied by severe diarrhea.
Which gets to my point. Prescription drug companies are being irresponsible for encouraging people to be super active when the number one side effect is the ‘rea, especially when you’re too far away from home.
They’re riding a bike. Playing Wiffle ball. Stretching for yoga. Playing golf. Out on a canoe!
What are prescription drug companies saying to you? Are they saying to be aware of these side effects but these activities are fine because you’re out doing something good for you? Does it matter that you may have explosive diarrhea? What if there’s a second wave of diarrhea? Who knows?
At some point, we should all just ignore these side effects and get on with living our lives.