Have you noticed the number of pharmaceutical ads there are on TV?
We don’t watch a lot of television in the summer, but now that football season has arrived, we find that we’re tuning in more frequently. And what I noticed were the ads.
Sure, we’re seeing ads for DQ, FlexSeal, Old Spice, and Jameson Whiskey.
But there are an equal number of, if not more, ads for Zepbound, Wecovy, Skyrizi, Rimvoq, Tremfya, and Dupixent. In fact, according to this Fierce Pharma article, a total of about $78 million was spent in 2026 so far.
Have you ever listened to those warnings?
Take Rinvoq for instance. It’s an immunology drug that has the potential to provide fast, life-changing relief to those suffering from joint pain, stiffness, and skin rashes. That’s good news for those who suffer.
But it comes with a lot of warnings: serious infections (some fatal) including tuberculosis (TB), increased risk of blood clots (some fatal) and cancer and immune system problems, as well as tears in the stomach or intestines. None sound good at all.
And there’s typically a warning not to take the drug if you may be allergic. How would you know – unless you took the drug?
Now, before anyone feels like I’m bashing pharmaceutical companies, I’m not saying they don’t have value. Some are absolutely necessary and save lives. All I’m trying to point out is the juxtaposition of the benefits with the warnings. I understand why they have to tell us these things. And I'm glad they do. If a medication can cause serious side effects, it’s good to know about them.
So it’s not the medication I’m focusing on here. It’s the commercials.
Typically, the main part of the commercial uses upbeat music and some positive lifestyle images – and then there’s the other part. The risk disclosures.
There's usually a person walking through a park or a woman on a beach kicking a soccer ball. It’s a beautiful sunny day. Everyone appears to look super healthy — I guess the medication is working! No doubt they all have excellent health insurance too.
And then comes the voice-over.
"This medication may cause serious infections..."
Okay.
"There is an increased risk of death..."
Wait. What?
"Blood clots, some fatal..."
I'm sorry, I thought we were playing on the beach.
"Certain cancers have occurred..."
And now the picture being painted is so much different that the happy woman kicking the soccer ball on a sunny day.
The commercial finishes by encouraging you to "ask your doctor if the medicine is right for you."
At that point, I'm thinking, "I'm not sure. But I have several questions."