don't get too excited

Posted Jun 25, 2014 14:29 UTC (Wed) by mpr22 (subscriber, #60784)
In reply to: don't get too excited by mathstuf
Parent article: US Supreme Court rules against software patents

I believe the US-style drugs advertising setup is about getting someone who's on your competitor's drug (or a generic drug) to pester their doctor for a prescription for your New! Innovative! Shiny! (still in patent) drug.

Some other countries (my own among them) prohibit pharmaceutical companies from advertising their prescription-only drugs to the general public.

don't get too excited

Posted Jun 25, 2014 14:32 UTC (Wed) by mathstuf (subscriber, #69389) [Link]

Well, except for the drugs for rare diseases, there are usually off-brand versions which are a fraction of the price of the name-brand drug (and the same active ingredients). Be sure to ask if there's an off-brand version of things from your doctor when getting prescriptions.