GSK’s Levitra commercials: What’s not ready for prime time (video)

GSK Levitra commercials and the pharma giant’s overall approach to advertising is now under review. The company’s top U.S. executive says that while the erectile dysfunction drug treats a valid medical condition, the subject matter may not be appropriate for a broad audience.

GlaxoSmithKline’s (NYSE:GSK) top U.S. executive Deirdre Connelly says the company is changing its approach to advertising in a manner that will be more respectful of the consuming public. Speaking in an address at the annual Pharmaceutical Industry Compliance Congress in Washington, D.C., she cited as an example the erectile dysfunction drug Levitra, which she now says is not appropriate for a general audience watching a Thanksgiving day football game.

Three Levitra commercials are included in this post. The straight video of the commercials doesn’t get explicit at all and you could make the argument that watching the video alone won’t tell you what the drug is for (in one of them, a man tosses around a football). But Connelly does make a point in that airing these ads before a general audience could prompt a child to ask if grandpa needs Levitra, and if so, what for?

With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?

Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.