Devoted to victims of medical commercial
Part I. Commercial and patients
One day I went to the hospital with running temperature about
40degrees and doctor told me to buy medicine X. There was no medicine
X in a drug store, so I bought medicine Y, the one shown on TV
commercials.
The doctors said I wasted my money, as the medicine was no good.
"Why? It is very effective painkiller," I said, "I saw the commercial
on TV," was my argument. The doctor only gave me the screw-loose sign,
and I started to call psychologists to find out why people trust
medical commercial.
Serhiy Bokivets, Hryhory Kostyuk Psychology Institute:
It is not about trust. "Truth is many times repeated lie." The
commercials are based on this principle. In other words it is a
hypnotic treatment, or zombing.
And then an idea came to my mind, the same one which came to the
deputy Nestor Shufrich last year - to prohibit commercial of medical
treatment and medicines in Mass Medias, including cosmetic medicine and
food additives.
Then we won't meet our "favorite" commercial heroes on TV, radio and
transport. And of course the deputies could not allow such losses
(about $100 million made on commercials of tooth paste, yogurts, creams
and shampoos).
"Are those actors and doctors from the commercials responsible
somehow for the medicine they promote?" I asked lawyer Oleksiy
Reznikov. "None," was the short answer.
Oleksiiy Reznikov, lawyer:
The law "On commercial" is observed by the Anti-monopoly
committee and Consumer protection department. The problem is that the
law does not provide for direct responsibility of a doctor.
The chief specialist of the consumer protection department Sahno Yuri:
If you decided to trust in the medical commercial, you should
pay attention to the kind of promoted medicine - whether it is a
medicine or a food additive; read the instruction and warning about
necessary consultation with a doctor.
According to Yuri Sahno, responsibility for inferior commercial may be criminal, disciplinary or administrative.
"There were eight cases, and perpetrators were fined of 11 thousand hryvnias," he informed.
Part II. Docotrs
In fact, the law "On commercial" prohibits doctors and other medical workers from taking part in commercials (http://vdd.com.ua/zakon.htm)
Oleksandr Pilgun, dentist - took part in the commercial of toothpaste:
Advertising agency decided that the TV commercial must have
three images - professional, famous person and pleasant appearance. I
am professional. Representatives of the company were searching clinics
and chose me. Shooting process was very interesting, but the fee not
really.
Besides, nobody told me that doctors do not have a right to take
part in medical commercials. And I did not consult a lawyer, did not
have time.
Yuri Sahno:
Doctors can promote toothpaste as dental hygiene means. But if
they promote it as a medicine (Lacalut, for example), then it provides
for responsibility. According to the law, it is advertisers, producers
and distributors, who are responsible.
P.S. So, wish you not to be naïve and not to be duped.
NOTE: "Medical commercial" means
promotion of medicines, medical services, methods of diagnostics,
treatment and rehabilitation and medical equipment.
According to the law "On commercial",
commercials of medicines must specify that consultations with a doctor
are obligatory and cannot state that the effect is guaranteed.
