It doesn't matter how long I've been living in the States now, it is always somewhat jarring and strange to see advertisements for prescription drugs during TV shows. Yes, they are really allowed to advertise prescription drugs direct to consumers - something that almost no other country does. Yet another consequence of the messed up healthcare system here. And there are plenty of ads, including ones for drugs that my company makes. It could be for inflammation, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, asthma or whatever. One of the more recent ones I've seen is a treatment for depression. Now something to note, I assume for legal reasons that these adverts have to list the most common side effects for the drug being advertised. So it is very surreal to see an ad for a drug to treat depression, and then for it to list a side effect of increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Hmmmm, that's not really the kind of side effect you want when you're already suffering from depression. Nausea and/or diarrhea - unpleasant, but common. Suicidal thoughts and actions - yikes. But apparently not enough to stop the spending of millions of dollars on TV advertising.
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