Drug Commercials Aren’t Just Annoying — They’re Costing You Money

If you live in the United States, you’ve likely seen drug commercials like this one: 

“If you’re living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or active psoriatic arthritis, symptoms can sometimes hold you back,” a cheery voice says as a woman sips a hot drink in her car while looking out toward the ocean. “Now there’s Skyrizi, so you can be all in with clear skin,” the voice declares in an even more upbeat tone. The woman throws off her white cardigan, revealing a blue bathing suit and unblemished limbs, before running into the ocean. 

The commercial then lists some of the medication’s side effects, such as serious allergic reactions and an increased likelihood of infection. Other risks are described online: liver problems, headaches, stomach pain, low red blood cell count, and fungal skin infections. The list goes on.