Rx DRUG COSTS: Citizens for Better Medicare Airs New Ads
Continuing their campaign against price controls for prescription drugs, the pharmaceutical industry-backed Citizens for Better Medicare is running three new television commercials. Titled "Canadian Style," one ad states that Canadian women "are switched to cheaper, less effective medicines" and some "wait longer for new anti-cancer therapies." The 30-second spot ran for three weeks last month in northern border states and follows the group's previous ad that urged politicians not to arrange border-crossing bus trips for seniors to purchase cheaper medications. The two other spots, titled "Interfere" and "Speed" are versions of the same ad. They state: "Canadians are coming to the U.S. saying their government- controlled health system is in crisis. Government price controls on medicines interfere with doctors and patients. Bureaucrats switch too many seniors to older, cheaper, less effective medicines." Airing nationally on network and cable stations, the two ads end with an on-screen message urging seniors to "Call Congress. 1-800-482-2192; Don't let federal price controls cost you your medicines and your health" (National Journal Group Inc., 6/1). Citizens for Better MediCare began its barrage of ads against prescription price controls last year with spots featuring Flo, an elderly woman who states, "I don't want big government in my medicine closet" (American Health Line, 7/28). To view the "Canadian Style" ad, type http://video.cloakroom.com/2000archive/05/0531cbm3.rm in your Web browser. To view "Interfere," type http://video.cloakroom.com/2000archive/05/0531cbm1.rm in your Web browser. To view "Speed," type http://video.cloakroom.com/2000archive/05/0531cbm2.rm in your Web browser. Note: To view the ads, you will need RealPlayer G2.
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