Do pharmaceutical companies in the UK directly advertise to consumers?

I'm doing some research on direct to consumer advertising of antidepressants. i was curious if in the UK ppl see commercials or print ads for medicines

Do pharmaceutical companies in the UK directly advertise to consumers?
Nope! The only medication adverts are for pain killers and cold and flu remedies. However, because the UK is public health care, no one really needs to advertise to the potential patients, because the drugs deal is with the government. They pick mostly on the cost and the companies involvement with the economy.





We of course get adverts for natural remedies for a whole host of illnesses and issues, but because we don't have the decision, and the UK's pharmaceutical competition isn't as fierce, its not needed.
Reply:Drugs that are prescription only in the UK tend not to have a Brand Identity as there is really no point as the public only come into contact with them on a Doctor's recommendation. Anti-depressants fall into this category and so there would be no point being any consumer advertising. Even if the drug has a brand name like Valium, the doctor would use the chemical name and prescribe Diazepam. As a patient, you are not expected to "Ask" for a drug. Unlike the rest of the world, the UK Health Service and drug laws make it very difficult for there to be any interaction between manufacturer and consumer
Reply:Not meds. on prescription, only over the counter ones like cough linctus for children and horrible ads to deal with earwax, hemorrhoids, verrucas!!!
Reply:No, the ASA (regulatory advertising body) here do not allow it.


Prescription drugs can only be advertised to doctors.


This is an ethical issue, and it is currently being debated to whether or not this should change. The fact that pharmaceutical companies cant advertise directly to consumers means that they use other stealth tatics - this includes giving gifts to doctors, setting up forums online and posing as patients. There has also been claims that some companies have set up charities to highlight illnesses that they have made drugs for. Prescription drugs can be advertised to consumers in america, so you may be able to get some related articles and information online from there.