Unless someone has a medical degree they're not an informed patient - they're someone who has been fed information through pharma PR campaigns to believe they're informed about a topic while only knowing information that would contribute to a private corporation's profit.

It is amazingly difficult to find good balanced information on prescriptions in the US - even doctors have issues.

Please do not protect me from myself.

Especially in the case of if/when my life is on the line, I want to know about my options. I'd much rather have information overload, than be blind.

And between my doctor and I, we will discern what is a real option, what is BS, and what tradeoffs I am willing to make in an effort to extend my life.

Stop being The Great Protector.

Using that argument millions of Americans have refused to let their children be vaccinated because they know more about medicine - even themselves. If your medical decision will endanger others it is a matter for The Great Protector, and, it's my opinion, that the great American habit of second guessing experts is what has let groups that oppose vaccinations, a round earth and the dangers of CO2 infiltrate modern society at such a large level.

Considering cancer, heart disease, or dementia aren't contagious, my individual treatment decision does not threaten those surrounding me.

I want to know as much as possible about treatments, their side effects, and tradeoffs. And if I partially learn about those items from a commercial, who cares? I want more time with my friends and family. I don't care about the source of a potential solution.

And the doctor can still elect to not provide the medication. The treatment decision is expertly gated, regardless of my wishes or insistence that "I know better".

I'll admit I have no evidence advertising to patients increases drug sales. But, considering how often I see drug commercials on television explicitly targeting patients, it seems the drug companies have evidence it works.