DB'S MEDICAL RANTS

Internal medicine, American health care, and especially medical education

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A libertarian argument against DTC ads

The whistleblower writes:

Respectfully, I disagree with you.  While I do not like these ads, I believe the free speech argument supporting them trumps my personal objections.  If we outlaw them, then what protects all of the other ads in the marketplace that are trying to coax us to purchase legal products?

Free speech does not allow us to yell fire in a movie theater.  The freedom of your fist ends at my nose.

If DTC ads lead to harm – and I believe they do – then the free speech argument does not pertain.  I would argue that a free speech argument here is specious.  But then, that is just my opinion.

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