Perscription Drugs Adverts for Pets (A new low... )

[Endangered Specie]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/23/tech/main625676.shtml


Doggie Drug Ads Cater To Humans

Once the mangy mutt of the marketing world, ads for pet prescription drugs now flaunt the sophistication of a purebred poodle. Drug companies are chasing the success of Viagra, Allegra, Prilosec and other human drugs whose aggressive marketing campaigns turned them into top sellers.

The goal: fetch some of the $18 billion American households spend yearly on veterinary expenses. More than 71 million households own a cat or dog, and a growing number view pets as family members worthy of the best, from health care to doggie spas and pet day care.

"Vets have become like pediatricians," explained Salzman, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Euro RSCG Worldwide, an advertising and marketing firm. She recently spent $800 on a thyroid test to determine why her nine-year-old dog was losing weight. Her company doesn't do pet drug ads, but she admires the craftsmanship.

Marketing experts and veterinarians agree, ads for pet drugs are becoming harder to distinguish from the human version.

"They are done in very similar fashion -- it's still the guy in the sweat suit running down the beach with the dog by his side. It's still the same visual and message," said Rob Frankel, author of "The Revenge of Brand X: How to Build a Big-Time Brand on the Web or Anywhere Else."

[Don_G]

1. Just What A "Fixed" Cat Needs

...Viagra....

[BattyDem]

2. Oh sh*t!

Does this mean the cost of my dog's meds are going to go through the roof, too? Prescription drug prices have been soaring out of control ever since they started advertising on television! :mad:

[sleepyhead]

3. unfortunately, probably yes

Many of the drugs that veterinarians use are manufactured by the same companies as human drugs. And for example, I was just told by one of my distributors that Pfizer is set for its 3rd price increase for its veterinary line in 2 years. Sadly, they are the only source for some of the drugs we use. Sigh.

[RebelOne]

4. They are already thru the roof.

I had to pay $110 for an antibiotic for my dog to cure her kidney infection.