Advertising, ad campaigns, ad agencies, and the people that make it happen

It got no news coverage on this side of the pond, but in the middle of November, US deputy health secretary, Alex Azar on a trip to the UK, pressured the British government to allow free access to the UK National Health Service for US drug companies. Apart from pushing up the cost of drugs to the outrageous levels US consumers are expected to pay, it would also open the door to direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs, as allowed in the US. Something which has generated huge income for US Ad agencies since 1998 when the rules were relaxed, as it is currently running at between $4 and $5 billion a year, with most of that going on TV. Relatively easy money, even though the end result are ads which are not only excruciatingly painful to watch, but also are forced to spend half their time telling you about the possible dire consequences you may face if you are balmy enough to insist on your doctor prescribing them for you! I think the odds on the British government allowing this are close to zero.