As Seen on TV, an occasional column, brings you the inside story behind TV drug ads.
I
f the orange-and-white pills sold as Lyrica for nerve pain were their own standalone drug company, they’d be the industry’s sixth biggest advertiser.
Pfizer spent an estimated $343 million-plus last year advertising the blockbuster drug to patients with fibromyalgia and diabetic nerve pain. Only Bristol-Myers Squibb, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, and Allergan spent more on their entire ad budgets.
Unlock this article by subscribing to STAT Plus. Try it FREE for 30 days!
SUBSCRIBE TODAYWhat is it?
STAT Plus is a premium subscription that delivers daily market-moving biopharma coverage and in-depth science reporting from a team with decades of industry experience.
What's included?
- Authoritative biopharma coverage and analysis, interviews with industry pioneers, policy analysis, and first looks at cutting edge laboratories and early stage research
- Subscriber-only networking events and panel discussions across the country
- Monthly subscriber-only live chats with our reporters and experts in the field
- Discounted tickets to industry events and early-bird access to industry reports
About the Author
Once we get FDA approval to do product placement advertising on your favorite TV shows nary a half hour will go by when you won’t be exposed to our “beautiful landscapes”.