Frist gets it right on DTC advertising
With his stand, he has partially redeemed himself for his Schiavo debacle:

The Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, called yesterday on the pharmaceutical industry to limit drug advertising directed at consumers, increasing the pressure on companies to curb such marketing.

Senator Frist, a Tennessee Republican, embraced an increasingly popular idea, a delay in advertising after a drug is introduced. He called for a two-year restriction.

Proponents of a delay say it will give doctors time to understand how drugs work before patients begin asking for them, sometimes based on inflated claims.

“This advertising can lead to inappropriate prescribing and fuel prescription drug spending,” Senator Frist said. “It can also oversell benefits and minimize risks.”