Even though the National Multiple Sclerosis Society put out a brilliant awareness campaign that included television public service announcements a few years back, many in the MS community still think there's not enough about multiple sclerosis on the airwaves.
Nonetheless, many of us woke up last week to an inbox full of messages about “that new MS drug advertisement....”, and most of the messagers didn’t seem happy.
When I put the video up on our Life With MS Facebook page and asked for comment, nearly 50 people jumped in with sentiments ranging from distaste to disgust, and a few about missed opportunity. I did have to giggle a bit when someone echoed a thought I’d had dating back to early 2014, when I likened such things to living in a tampon commercial.
Enough Activity to Tire an Athlete
In the drug company’s advertisement, one woman (presumed to have been diagnosed with MS) transitions from one action scene to another, and then another, all in one day. The cascade of adventures would give the best trained athletes and socialites a cramp. With the help of a little pill (“that has the power to cut relapses in half”), however, our heroine goes from work to hiking to a swimming party to an evening date at the amusement park (where the potential side effects of the drug are read in a voiceover as she eats cotton candy and wins a teddy bear).
Finally — and to the consternation of many who commented on various social media sites — after a chat with her doctor, our actor/patient hops off the examining table and heads off on what we can expect is yet another relapse-free day.
In the side-effect disclaimer, PML, a brain disease caused by a viral infection, is described as "rare but possible" while taking this drug. It should be noted that the drug's manufacturer is also the company that developed the test for the JC virus, which puts a person at higher risk for the infection.
Pros and Cons of Seeing MS on TV
A few people thought that it was good to see something about MS out there in mass media, but felt that the depiction of the disease missed the mark by a good bit.
To date, Ispot.tv states that this commercial has had over 600 national airings, each asking us to imagine what we could do with fewer relapses.
The reaction from people outside of North America was surprise that prescription drugs were even allowed to be advertised.
Aside from the frustration that many will have with the fact that there is still no drug approved for progressive MS, I’m wondering what our Life With MS Blog community thinks about the commercial. I personally understand that marketing works the way it does, and no advertisement is going to speak to every viewer in the same way.
Be honest in your assessment, but also be fair. I expect that some members of the pharma community would like to know your thoughts as well.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers,
Trevis
