Suicide watch advertising.

Saw a TV spot, can’t recall the pharma brand, but it was for some Sleep-X ‘help me sleep’ pill – aren’t they all though? But during the ‘happier’ moments of a picnic, the VO says: “May cause thoughts of suicide.” (And shouldn’t that have been the disclaimer for the Diet Pepsi SB spot?). But suicide? Damn! Sign me up for that. Talk about a postive brand message.

Hey FDA – ya’ gotta lighten up with all the warnings, because now you’re defeating the purpose of ads: to sell products, not educate the public about danger. That’s what PSA’s are for.

More importantly, you’re warning the public about something only doctors have control over when they prescribe it. Patients are at the mercy of their physician and have zero say in which product to use. Let physicians and pharmacists be legally required to explained the side effects. I don’t need to hear dire warnings while watching shiny happy people, to quote REM.

At the very least, let it be a warning on par with ‘Drink responsibly – use a glass’ that beer ads have. I mean, when you buy a car, no one says hey, you could end up in a head-on with a truck if you drive the wrong way down a one way street.

Tags: advertising, pharmaceutical