00:00You've heard the jingle, and you probably even sang along, too.
00:03Oh, oh, oh, Zempic!
00:06But doctors are saying these ads are changing the way patients walk into clinics.
00:10One doctor even compared it to fast food, saying, quote,
00:13They come in with an idea. They think of me like McDonald's. I want my Happy Meal. I'm coming for a script. And that's a problem.
00:20Oh, Zempic, a medication first developed for type 2 diabetes, has exploded in popularity after being linked to weight management.
00:27Ads like O-O-O-O-Zempic are everywhere on TV and social media, leading to patients asking for their preferred GLP-1 by name at their doctor's appointments.
00:36Fun fact, the U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries that even allow these kinds of drug ads. And it's a booming business.
00:42Prescription drug companies now make up nearly a quarter of evening news ad time.
00:46But experts caution that this hype may have risks.
00:49Health Canada has tracked reports of side effects ranging from nausea to changes in vision or mood.
00:54Now, the federal government is stepping in.
00:56President Trump just signed a memorandum directing health agencies to crack down on misleading drug ads.
01:02The order calls for more transparency, especially around risks, and targets not just TV commercials, but also influencer campaigns and social media promotion.
01:09But what do you think? Should drug ads urge you to ask your doctor for a script? Do they provide clear information about risks?
01:15Let us know what you think in the comments. And of course, follow us here for more.
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