BLOGSCAN - Direct-to-Consumer Device Advertising on YouTube Sans Adverse Effects Information

On the PostScript blog, the Prescription Project announced the discovery of direct-to-consumer marketing videos released on YouTube by three device companies. The video from Abbott advertised the XIENCE-V drug eluting stent. That from Medtronic advertised the Prestige cervical disc. That from Stryker advertised its Cormet hip resurfacing technology. Apparently none of these brave new advertisements bothered to put in the discussion about adverse effects mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new media obviously presents new opportunities for marketing, including marketing that gets around rules usually applied in other media. Kudos to the Prescription Project for blowing the whistle on this one.

According to this post, soon after the three companies pulled these ads. The issue of new media DTC advertising produced quite a bit of internet buzz. Amazingly, among those agreeing with the Prescription Project's position was none other than Mr Peter Pitts of the DrugWonks blog, the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, and the Manning, Selvage and Lee public relations firm.