Snowball in Summer

Two Democratic lawmakers have asked parmaceutical companies to voluntarily reduce their direct-to-consumer TV advertising. Representatives John Dingell and Bart Stupak are investigating whether companies are misleading consumers.

Ya think? And what do we think the odds are that Merck & Co, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Schering-Plough are going to comply? Even in the face of potential Congressional restrictions the companies are probably going to continue making money hand over fist and use the same delay-and-deny tactics they've always used.

America should have never passed the law in 1997 permitting direct-to-consumer advertising in the first place. With only 4.3% of the world's population we consumer 48% of the world's prescription drugs ... and at premium prices.