alt Hacker News> 1. Something is systemically wrong in the US when we are cutting off people’s access to meds, like GLP-1s, which have profound health benefits.
The US is the only country, aside from New Zealand, that allows direct-to-consumer marketing of prescription only medicines.
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GLP-1 drugs don’t require marketing. There are tons of people who have been prescribed them and aren’t being covered by insurance. Both Novo and Eli Lily are now selling them direct to consumers with prescriptions that don’t have insurance coverage.
I thought this was true, but I got direct marketing for prescription medicine in Canada a few weeks ago. I don't think this claim is accurate anymore.
I like it.
I'm on one medication I wouldn't have know could help me without seeing ads. It's improved my life.
This is a vacuous statement because in much of the world (ie most of the developing world), there's no such thing as "prescription only" medicine, people can buy whatever they want over the counter.
>> The US is the only country, aside from New Zealand
And canada. I have seen many commercials on hotel televisions for prescription drugs there.
> The US is the only country, aside from New Zealand, that allows direct-to-consumer marketing of prescription only medicines.
What interesting here is that Hims & Hers are able to skirt the pharmaceutical marketing regulations. They are able to blanket the world in their ads whereas pharma companies have to abide by strict safety information requirements in their commercials. Him/Hers give literally zero safety and side effect info.
The other weird thing is that the companies like Hims/Hers are basically dial a script. You call them and get whatever you want. They probably deny no one and don't turn anyone away. Unethical and lacks physician oversight.