Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12452

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

McKean K.
Trouble sleeping? Try this ad...
ConsumerReports.org 2008 Jan 16
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2008/01/rozerem-cr-adwa.html

Full text:

Consumer Reports has just posted the second in our series of CR AdWatch videos that add commentary and context to widely seen pharmaceutical advertisements. You’ll recognize this ad immediately: It’s the one that has Abe Lincoln and a talking beaver offering consolation to an unfortunate insomniac.

The ad-the latest in a series-is memorable not only for its quirky cast of characters, but also because the drug it promotes (Rozerem) does not appear to pose the same risk of chemical dependency as other prescription sleeping pills. Yet as our commentary notes, that doesn’t mean your first move after a sleepless night should be to beg for a prescription. I’ll let the AdWatch crew tell you the rest themselves.