Stopped Pharmaceutical Advertising Madness (SPAM) Act

Pharma Ads Don’t Belong in Healthcare

Pharmaceutical ads—a relentless assault on our screens—are a blight most countries don’t allow. The United States stands nearly alone, with only New Zealand also permitting direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. Everywhere else, governments recognize the obvious: healthcare isn’t a product to be sold like a soda or a car, and these ads undermine the trust between doctors and patients.

To make matters worse, in the U.S., pharmaceutical companies can write off their advertising expenses as tax deductions, effectively subsidizing this manipulative practice with taxpayer dollars. In 2022 alone, Big Pharma spent nearly $7 billion flooding our TVs, social media feeds, and magazines with ads designed not to educate, but to manipulate. Enough is enough.

How It Works

  1. Ban all direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising across TV, radio, print, digital, and social media.
  2. Eliminate tax deductions for pharmaceutical advertising expenses.
  3. Enforce strict penalties and public accountability through the Federal Trade Commission.

Full Text

The SPAM Act — Stopping Pharmaceutical Advertising Madness

Section 1: Findings

1. The United States and New Zealand are the only first-world countries that allow direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising, a practice banned elsewhere due to its harm to public health.

2. Pharmaceutical ads mislead consumers, inflate healthcare costs, and undermine trust in doctors.

3. Big Pharma spends billions annually to manipulate public opinion and push unnecessary medications.

Section 2: Ban on Pharmaceutical Advertising

1. Prohibition: All direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription medications is banned, including TV, radio, print, digital, and social media.

2. Penalties: Pharmaceutical companies violating this ban will face $50 million fines per ad, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses.

Section 3: Enforcement

1. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will oversee enforcement and maintain a public database of violators.

Section 4: Effective Date

This Act takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Disclaimer

I’m not a lawyer, and this isn’t finalized legislative language — but I’m also not waiting around for someone else to write what’s clearly overdue. We need more single issue, readable bills.

These are serious drafts from someone running for Congress who believes voters deserve more than slogans and vague promises. And yes, once elected, I’ll work with the Office of Legislative Counsel, the Congressional Research Service, and policy experts to refine every section into fully enforceable law. That’s what they’re there for.

But make no mistake — the intent, urgency, and direction are already here.