Abstract
On average, viewers are exposed to about nine drug advertisements a day. Direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising (“DTCPA”) is when pharmaceutical companies market their prescription drugs straight to consumers. Ozempic is a weekly injection of semaglutide, developed by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk in 2017 for adults with Type-2 diabetes. After people started to show signs of weight loss on Ozempic, Novo Nordisk created Wegovy in June 2021, targeting towards people with obesity. Due to the exploding weight-loss effect of Wegovy, celebrities and social media influencers started taking the medication and sharing their weight loss journeys. DTCPA can be harmful to consumers because the advertisements can give incomplete information, encourage overprescribing, and mislead the public. As Wegovy gained traction, Novo Nordisk could not keep up with demand for both Wegovy and Ozempic, creating an enormous shortage for people with Type-2 diabetes. Over the years, the FDA has updated its regulations regarding DTCPA, however, these rules still fail to address fundamental issues. To prevent shortages and protect public safety, a mandatory waiting period should be implemented before a company can advertise a newly approved drug. By updating DTCPA regulations, prioritizing transparency, and holding pharmaceutical companies accountable, policymakers can create a safer and more equitable healthcare environment.
Recommended Citation
Taylor Blicht,
OH, OH, NO OZEMPIC: THE DANGERS OF OZEMPIC’S DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISEMENTS,
34 J. L. & Pol'y
167
(2025).
Available at:
https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/jlp/vol34/iss1/7