Four Comedic Prescription Drug Commercials
In Spanish, the word for commercial is propaganda. But these drug commercials are pure comedy. Hold on to your health plan. Who knows when you might need a good hit of…
1. Zoloft
Originally introduced into the market as sertraline, this SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) is a popular anti-depressant. The drug hit a bit of a row in recent history largely because new research suggests that SSRIs have little to no effect on clinical depression, despite the high rates of use among those with health insurance.
2. Enzyte
This herbal alternative to prescription virility medication claims to promote “natural male enhancement,” but its founder Steve Warshak and, yes, his mother Harriet were found guilty of mail fraud and money laundering. Case closed on this wonder tablet. For those of you who bemoan the loss of this herbal super-drug, rumor has it that ginger works wonders.
3. Rozerem
The days of counting sheep are over. And Rozerem has captured the attention of its target audience with advertisements featuring Abraham Lincoln and — yes, you read this right — a talking beaver. Maybe the VP of marketing is from Oregon?
4. Celebrex
From rectal polyps to rheumatoid arthritis — is there anything this drug won’t do? The journey to our neighborhood pharmacy was long and arduous. Celebrex was originally developed by G.D. Searle, promoted by Monsanto, then Pfizer; after that, Monsanto merged with Pharmacia, whose medical research division was acquired by Pfizer. Celebrex is now in Pfizer’s hands, and with it a potential litany of controversial claims arising from its potential heart attack risks (but don’t worry, unless you’re a Celebrex pill popper, your heart should be a healthy ticker).
