Pharma is facing a perfect storm. Rising tariffs threaten to drive up the cost of raw materials and finished products, which will inevitably be passed on to patients in the form of higher prices. At the same time, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising — once seen as a powerful engine for driving demand — is losing effectiveness…
Every time the conversation around drug pricing heats up, someone inevitably dusts off the idea of banning direct-to-consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising. It’s an easy target: glossy TV spots and splashy magazine ads are the most visible symbols of pharma’s marketing machine. But here’s the truth: cutting off DTC advertising won’t lower drug prices. In fact,…
On Tuesday, Trump signed a memorandum directing his administration to revive a decades-old policy that would sharply restrict prescription drug advertising on television. For pharma marketers, this headline probably caused a moment of alarm—TV is still a core channel for building awareness, particularly for high-profile brands. But here’s the reality: this move is unlikely to…
GLP-1 weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound have been hailed as game-changers in tackling obesity, one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. But beneath the hype, a growing debate is emerging: are these drugs—and the markets built around them—overvalued? The Insurance Squeeze Insurers are grappling with the soaring costs of GLP-1 drugs. With annual price tags…
Pharma has found its golden goose in GLP-1 drugs, plastering headlines with “miracle weight-loss” stories and pumping billions into ads and promotion. But behind the hype, a different picture is emerging: one of growing side effects, high discontinuation rates, and a troubling lack of long-term safety data. The question is simple: Is pharma overselling yet…
Morgan Stanley Research recently revised its projections for the global obesity drug market, estimating a potential peak of $150 billion by 2035—a sharp increase from its earlier forecast of $105 billion. The optimism stems from unprecedented sales growth: in 2024, obesity drugs already generated $15 billion in revenue, cementing their status as the hottest therapeutic category in…
Recent reports of layoffs at the FDA have left many in the pharmaceutical industry wondering whether the agency’s ability to scrutinize drug promotions will be compromised. For pharma marketers, the immediate question is straightforward: Should promotional efforts be accelerated, slowed down, or carried on as usual in light of reduced FDA staffing? The Temptation to Push…