Pharmaceutical Direct to Consumer Advertising on The American Law Journal

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Jan 17, 2010, 04:30 ET

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In the last decade, the number of consumers taking antidepressants has more than doubled, with a staggering 4000% increase in the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children in that time. Doctors wrote 164 million prescriptions for antidepressants in 2008. Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars on direct to consumer pharmaceutical advertising psychiatric drugs. Is there a connection? And when a patient experiences harm from a drug, does direct to consumer advertising play a role in litigation?

Monday January 18 live from 7:00-8:00 p.m. EST on the Philadelphia CNN-News affiliate WFMZ-TV and streaming online at WFMZ.com, The American Law Journal presents "Ask Your Doctor If 'x' is Right for You— Does Drug Advertising Help or Hurt the Consumer?" Philadelphia-based lawyers and a prominent pain physician address the legal, medical and social implications of direct to consumer drug advertising. Former New Jersey prosecutor Christopher Naughton, a legal commentator and 20-year legal broadcasting veteran, hosts the program.

On the panel representing consumers and pharmaceutical whistleblowers in nationwide, complex pharmaceutical litigation and recent landmark pharmaceutical settlements is Stephen Sheller, Esq. of the law firm of Sheller, P.C.. Raymond Williams, Esq. of DLA Piper brings his expertise defending top-tier pharmaceutical companies in high-profile cases to the conversation. Joining Sheller and Williams is physician Frank J.E. Falco, M.D., CEO of the Mid-Atlantic Spine & Pain Physicians and Vice President of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. The program will address both informational and product drug advertising with an emphasis on the rapid growth of marketing and prescribing antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs.

Despite health concerns and the increase in lawsuits involving antipsychotic drugs, "we're seeing more drug advertising with 'if you're antidepressant isn't doing enough for you' ads," says Sheller, "and with the FDA approving the use of antipsychotics in children, it's becoming a huge moral question."

The American Law Journal is a weekly talk-feature program that addresses consumer, business and constitutional law. The program is seen throughout the Philadelphia tri-state region, streams live, and is available for download. Free links for downloads are available by request from [email protected] while the program website is under renovation. Next week on The American Law Journal: "The Lawyer, the Client, the Insurance Adjuster & the Judge."

Available Topic Experts: For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Christopher Naughton | https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=85988

Stephen Sheller, Esq. | https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=85992

SOURCE The American Law Journal