Rx FOR THE ADVERTISING OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

WHEREAS, pharmaceutical companies are spending ever increasing amounts of money to advertise prescription medications directly to consumers; and

WHEREAS, the pharmaceutical corporations have a profit motive to increase sales of prescription drugs that provide the greatest return even if such medications are not necessarily those that save the most lives or have the greatest influence in creating necessary improvements in the quality of patients’ lives; and

WHEREAS, many of the most advertised brand-name prescription medications have a less expensive brand-name, generic or over-the-counter alternative that is just as or sometimes even more effective; and

WHEREAS, such advertising leads to patients pressuring healthcare providers into prescribing these advertised medications, sometimes when an alternative may be more appropriate or resulting in an interference with the relationship between patient and provider when the provider does not agree that the advertised medication is appropriate; and

WHEREAS, this advertising places detrimental pressure on the limited healthcare dollars and consequently is partly responsible for the skyrocketing health insurance rate increases and a misdirection of resources away from life-saving therapies; and

WHEREAS, rapidly increasing insurance rates are a negative factor in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements providing a hindrance to locals as they attempt to gain improved wages and working conditions; and

WHEREAS, the AFT includes members who are healthcare providers that have legal authority to prescribe medications and this advertising is impacting on their time and the ability to perform their jobs in the manner to which their training would best allow without such intrusion; and

WHEREAS, the AFT already plays a leading role in trying to stem the tide of rapidly escalating prescription drug costs through its efforts on many fronts:

RESOLVED, that the AFT continue in its efforts to curtail the exorbitant increases in prescription drug costs; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT investigate legislation to regulate television, radio and magazine advertising for medications that require a prescription; and

RESOLVED, that the president of the AFT reach out to AFT constituency groups, drawing from the expertise of its members who are healthcare providers, local or statewide leaders, and consider appointing a task force to study the issue of advertising of prescription medications and make formal recommendations at a future AFT convention as to a course of action that may be considered by the delegates.  [Executive Council, February 2005]