The FDA allowed pharm ads on television starting back in 1997 easing restrictions to advertise directly to (potential) consumers. They weren't allowed, neither were lawyer ads. Thought of as being brought to you by 'ambulance chasers' . and once there was ads for legal services: upTick in lawsuits! Same with meds, we used to just read their ads in magazines, etc, (and ignore them) then once allowed on TV lots of folks took it as gospel for their ailments.