RFK’s Calls To Ban One Of Big Pharma’s Most Powerful Tools Rattle Drugmakers
SUMMARY
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked hope among advocates for health reform, with Kennedy’s call to ban direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug advertising striking a chord with many Americans. Kennedy argues that pharmaceutical advertising inflates drug prices, fuels overprescription, and undermines media objectivity by incentivizing news outlets to avoid scrutinizing their largest advertisers. Kennedy’s proposed ban reflects his broader “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, which prioritizes reducing chronic disease and reining in Big Pharma’s influence. He has highlighted that only the U.S. and New Zealand permit DTC pharmaceutical ads, correlating this with the U.S.’s high drug costs and chronic disease rates. Supporters like Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and health advocate Calley Means agree, asserting that the advertising industry compromises public health and fosters media bias.
