<p><i>Perhaps the only thing Democrats and Republicans seem to agree on these days is that the pharmaceutical industry is bad. In particular, there has been bipartisan movement in recent years to ban direct-to-consumer drug ads, which are only permitted in the United States and New Zealand. Some supporters, like The Daily Wire&#8217;s Matt Walsh, have called these ads <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/all-the-reasons-why-big-pharma-commercials-should-be-banned">dangerous</a>.</i></p>
<p><i>But even those who don&#8217;t feel that strongly about the issue aren&#8217;t jumping up to defend these ads, which generally feature a bunch of shiny, happy stock-photo models dancing around while a narrator speed-reads through a list of side effects ranging from nausea to death.</i></p>
<p><em>In this provocative piece, Stephen Moore does just that. A noted economist and political commentator, Moore served as a senior economic adviser to President Donald Trump and was instrumental in crafting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Moore not only argues that pharmaceutical ads help patients, but that banning them could have negative downstream consequences. We hope you enjoy. — Tim Rice</em></p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Chevrolet’s newest <a href="https://x.com/chevrolet/status/1993694235552595978?s=46" target="_blank" rel="noopener">holiday ad</a> is tugging at America’s heartstrings.</p>
<p>The spot follows a family’s classic Chevy Suburban through decades of memories — kids tumbling around the backseat, tearful college drop-offs, and that quiet, bittersweet moment when the house becomes an empty nest. The ad ends as the couple parks their old Suburban beside a shiny new one, welcoming their grown children and grandchildren home for the holidays.</p>
<p>It’s the kind of commercial American companies have long excelled at: emotionally evocative in all the right ways, tapping into nostalgia, family, and the warmth of the season — and, yes, selling a product. Holiday ads have become part of our cultural fabric. Think of Coca-Cola&#8217;s polar bears, or the Budweiser Clydesdales. These ads don’t just market products; they help set the tone for the season.</p>
<p>Ads like these may not survive if Washington continues down a troubling road of restricting TV commercials for politically unpopular — but legal — products. At the top of this list is pharmaceutical ads, which Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wants removed from the airwaves. In that fight he has an unlikely ally: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</p>
<p>This may seem like a rare instance of bipartisan cooperation. And in today’s political climate, dinging pharmaceutical companies is almost certain to prove popular.</p>
<p>But we already have strict advertising laws against including false or misleading claims in ads, and severe penalties for violations — and appropriately so. Banning pharmaceutical ads would be regulatory overkill, and could have negative consequences its advocates aren’t considering.</p>
<p>Contrary to what critics say, prescription drugs preserve life and improve health. Because of this, advertising can be a social good. An ad that makes people aware of a new drug’s benefits can literally save lives and alleviate suffering.</p>
<p>Some politicians and regulators say these ads only serve to artificially drive up demand. And they do drive up demand — for treatments that work. That’s a good thing.</p>
<p>Think about what would happen if we had a new wonder drug to help cure or stop the spread of breast cancer. Now imagine that the government prevented the pharmaceutical company from promoting this treatment to patients.</p>
<p>It could take months before patients get access to this miracle cure.</p>
<p>Plus, if lawmakers succeed in chipping away protections for advertisers, it will only empower future government censors. Imagine a future Democrat administration that wants to ban ads for gas-powered cars or disposable diapers in the name of “protecting the environment.”</p>
<p>Pharmaceutical ads may not be the most popular thing in the world. But that doesn’t change the fact that they have a real benefit — or the fact that banning them would do more harm than good.</p>
<p><i>Stephen Moore is a co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a former senior economic advisor to President Donald Trump.</i></p>
<div>
<section class="css-17g5ttu">
<div id="post-body-text" class="css-o2tmhu">
<div class="e1rjv97g0 css-1mqhe4y">
<p><i data-stringify-type="italic">The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
</section>
</div>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Bernie Sanders’s Latest Crusade Could Kill Your Favorite Christmas Commercials

CONTINUE READING

Opinion

advertising

Bernie Sanders

Prescription Drugs

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Televison

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— Opinion —

Bernie Sanders’s Latest Crusade Could Kill Your Favorite Christmas Commercials