BILL REQ. #:  S-2308.1 

Read first time .   Referred to .

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The Food and Drug Administration regulates the promotion of prescription pharmaceuticals, including the content of direct to consumer advertising of prescription pharmaceuticals; and
     WHEREAS, Direct to consumer advertisements prompt millions of consumers to ask their physicians for specific brand name prescription pharmaceuticals; and
     WHEREAS, The Food and Drug Administration issues regulatory letters to companies that violate Food and Drug Administration guidelines; and
     WHEREAS, The Food and Drug Administration issues regulatory letters for only a small percentage of the advertisements it reviews; and
     WHEREAS, Food and Drug Administration oversight has not prevented companies from making misleading claims in advertisements for prescription pharmaceuticals; and
     WHEREAS, The current regulatory scheme is inadequate to deter pharmaceutical companies from making misleading claims in advertising;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Food and Drug Administration adopt rules requiring that direct to consumer advertising of prescription pharmaceuticals be allowed only when done through the United States Surgeon General such that consumers are informed of new products, their purpose, and effects with accuracy and clarity.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.