RxBenefits on the ULA Network
Marketing or Medicine? How Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Are Shaping Member Behavior and Plan Costs
In 2024, pharmaceutical companies spent an estimated $4.5 billion on TV advertising, with one company spending nearly $377 million on a single drug. Americans see up to nine prescription drug ads a day. These campaigns are doing more than raising awareness – they’re driving demand and inflating costs for union-sponsored health plans.
In this featured resource available through our partnership with the ULA Network, RxBenefits explores how direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising is influencing member behavior, putting pressure on plan budgets, and threatening the long-term sustainability of labor and union healthcare benefits.
This article covers:
- How pharmaceutical ads fuel member demand and higher prescription costs
- The role of member education and provider guidance in reducing unnecessary drug use
- How unions and funds can leverage clinical management to reduce spend without reducing care
Read the full blog on the ULA Network to explore how unions can safeguard their pharmacy plans from the effects of DTC advertising.
