On the same day the Vioxx verdict was announced last week in Texas, Merck placed an ad on an evening network newscast, with the theme of “putting patients first.” The evidence presented in that trial would suggest that mission has not always been practiced.
And GlaxoSmithKline has been placing ads in the network newscasts featuring a GSK researcher using the old line about drug development costing $800 million. To see the holes in that flawed claim, read Merrill Goozner’s excellent book, “The $800 Million Pill.”
Where's the truth squad on such ads?