According to lawmakers and the American Medical Association, drug makers have been deceptively marketing their products to the public.
The AMA suggested that a moratorium be placed on ads for newly approved drugs until doctors are educated and regulators have signed off on the messages. Representative Bart Stupak said Congress should consider new restrictions on ads.
Drug makers spent $5.4 billion last year on direct-to-consumer advertising. That represents a 500 percent increase since regulatory rules changed a decade ago, allowing drug makers to more easily air commercials. Lawmakers are arguing that the ads gloss over risks, and may cause he overprescription of expensive medicines.
New Zealand is the only country other than the U.S. that allows drug ads on television.