DTC ads can be “both a blessing and a curse,” and if
companies fail to include messaging about patient assistance programs in them,
“then your message is a resentful one.” To address the crisis of the uninsured,
“some sort of government support for the uninsured” is much needed to replace
“crisis medicine.”
Who said it? Bart Stupak? Peter Rost? Try PhRMA CEO Billy
Tauzin, in interviews with DC blog The Politico. While not straying far from
established talking points, Tauzin seems to be taking a more conciliatory tone
as Democrats look poised to solidify their control of Congress and mount a
strong challenge for the White House.
“We're never going to desert old friends, but I'm ready to
make new ones every day,” said Tauzin. “I want to make sure people look at us
and see us as patient advocates and not as Democrat or Republican.”