To the Editor: Re “Direct Drug Ads Attract Scrutiny,” by Paula Span (The New Old Age, Science Times, Feb. 17)

As a patient living with systemic lupus for over 45 years, I’ve learned to manage my condition by seeking new treatments and engaging in meaningful conversations with my doctors.

One of the ways I stay informed about the latest treatments is through drug ads, which can provide information about treatments to me and many of the patients I work with. Knowledge empowers patients like us so we can make informed decisions about our care.

Claiming that drug ads lead to higher treatment costs is misleading; the studies cited overlook the findings of a National Bureau of Economics Research paper that said many of the “office visits from advertising are associated with use of non-advertised generic drugs or do not result in use of any drugs.”

As someone who cares about improving outcomes for both me and my patients, I use every available resource to stay informed before making health care decisions. Proposals to ban or restrict drug ads would not help.

Dorothy Leone-Glasser
Atlanta
The writer is the executive director of Advocates for Responsible Care and Rx in Reach Coalition.

Credit: The New York Times. View the original publication here.