Taking Sides #1

Taylor Byington
9:00-10:00

1. The yes side argues that we can increase the health of many people by helping
them become more involved in their own health causes, as well as learning more
about the facts behind prescription regimens and safety precautions.
2. The no side argues that the more we advertise drugs consumers will begin to
purchase excessive amounts of unnecessary prescription drugs, and take exceeded
amounts in their doses.
3. 1)The companies that began using drug advertisements were focused on
preventing people from starting down the drug abuse paths. They focused their
statements on HIV, prescription abuse, and the harmful effects of smoking. 2) The
advertisements have been seen to statistically have quite a dramatic influence on
the reduction of drug abuse in the United States.
4. 1) Those opposed to drug advertisements used the fact that surveys showed that
the majority of citizens that took the time to participate in the survey believed that
the advertisements were shown because they were required by the government. 2)
The surveys also showed that those that participated believed that the drugs
advertised were only those that were either very minor drugs, or very serious drugs.
Neither is true.
5. 1) DTC advertising can be a powerful tool in education millions of people and
improving health. 2)DTC advertising has been proven to be beneficial to American

patients. And, continuing regulatory oversight by the FDA helps ensure that the
content of the DTC advertising informs and educated consumers about medical
conditions and treatment options.
6. 1) Pharmaceutical spending on television commercials doubled from $654 million
in 2001, to a staggering $1.19 billion in 2005. So one opinion is that the cost for
these commercials are just too outrageous to meet the need. 2) Physicians know
that even the most effective pharmaceutical may not be right for every patient.
What this means is that by saying that one medication fits one illness would be a
false claim and could lead consumers to furthered injuries.
7. One fallacy I found on the Yes side was the fact that using DTC advertisement
lead/encourages consumers to reach out about hidden medical problems they had.
The article did give a example of a time that this had happened, but I would believe
that just as often as people came out about their issues, there would also be those
that would become closed off and even more hidden about their issues due to the
public embarrassment they may come from it now that the public announcement
had been made it. The opinion didnt have any statistics to use for leverage so it
just seemed like a soft stance for the Yes side.
8. One fallacy I found on the No side is the point of view they had on the money
being spent on Drug Advertisements and whether or not the government really did
have the publics best interest in mind when doing all of these advertisements
because of the tax dollars it called for. I dont feel that we can make a stance on
whether the government has our interest at hand with questions like that because
of the nature of the situation. The entire reason they are saying they are coming

forward with these commercial s is for the publics benefit, so to say they dont have
our interests at hand.
9. I am personally more of a fan of the Yes side of this argument because of the
influence these commercials can have on individuals. I dont think we as a society
can really put a price on the health of our loved ones that can have their lives
changed by the message these commercials bring forward.
10. I felt that the Yes side was backed up more by facts and statistics than the
No side was. And because of that, it is easier for the reader to be influenced and
sway the side with the most references and proof.
11. I can see why the author argued No, because it can definitely be a costly
endeavor for our economy to do something like this. But I would think the only
reason somebody would side with No on this argument would be because they
had never had somebody close to them influenced by drugs and seen what harmful
effects they can have on somebodys life. When you see the negative role these
habits can do to somebodys life, you come to see that it really is hard to put a price
on somebodys health.