“If Viagra Commercial Withdrawal Syndrome persists for more than 4 hours, contact your local TV station immediately.”
2 US congressmen are trying to ban the airing of Viagra and other ‘erectile disfunction TV commercials before the hour of 10 p.m.:
Austin Durrer, an aide to (Rep. Jim) Mr. Moran in his Washington office, told Ad Age, “The congressman does not have a problem with the drugs — only the advertising. His feeling is that they’re not appropriate for family viewing hours and some of the advertising makes for uncomfortable situations.” Mr. Durrer made it clear that Mr. Moran is “not into censorship.”
In their commercials, ED-drug makers have long used sexual innuendo, as well as the now-famous disclaimer to see your doctor if an erection lasts longer than four hours. The National Football League ended an $18 million sponsorship deal with Levitra in 2006 because the league deemed some of the ads too risque. A year later, Major League Baseball did not renew a five-year sponsorship agreement with Viagra.
Mr. Moran introduced similar legislation in 2005 and met with representatives from big pharma’s lobby group, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. “They came to our office and told us they would rein this thing in, cut back on the hours, and if they did that asked if we would we ease up on the bill,” Mr. Durrer said. “We said, ‘Sure.’ But the ads have been increasing, and we’ve been getting feedback from a lot of people.”
While the Beast Who Slumbers suspects that nothing will come of this, he is sympathetic. It’s as if this is the only industry that advertises any more. Professional golf, despite constant references to drivers, shafts, balls, and holes (granted, “putter” is a little emasculating so, when in doubt, ‘bulo just pulls out his “long iron”), needs Viagra and its brethren to advertise for distended extended periods of time every weekend. Up to four hours per day. Don’t bother calling your physician. Either he’s playing golf or ‘the time is right’.