Why drugs cost so much, as seen on TV

The average cost for a 30-second advertisement in prime-time television is $100,000. The average hour of prime-time television contains 40 minutes of show and 20 minutes of ads - or about 40 30-second commercials.

According to my research of major networks, about half of the advertisements are for prescription drugs. It appears to me that the drug companies are spending about $2 million per prime time hour to advertise a prescription drug that I cannot buy. That is $6 million per night, $42 million per week and $2 billion per year advertising drugs we cannot get without a prescription. And you wonder why your drugs cost so much?

I wonder if there will be a prohibition against advertising prescription drugs in the new health care bill being debated?

Michael Shea

Marion