6 Feds find new

6 Feds find new targets

Without Howard Stern to kick around, the federal government left indecency standards simmering and turned its attention to a new target—direct-to-consumer drug advertising. During a November public hearing, consumer groups lobbied the Food and Drug Administration for a moratorium on DTC ads. Groups like Public Citizen’s Health Research Group and Prescription Access Litigation Project testified that the ads minimize side effects and promote fear, while advertiser lobbyists suggested DTC ads educate consumers and open up doctor-patient dialogues.