PhRMA, the pharmaceutical industry’s main US trade group, spent about $59 million on search advertising in the past seven years to influence public perception of prescription drug costs, according to STAT. The report says the campaign aimed to shape how Americans view the pricing of medicines.
This level of digital advertising spend shows the value the industry places on public opinion management. For pharma and healthcare brand leaders, the story signals that digital channels are central to reputation and policy influence. CMOs may need to weigh the risks and returns of similar tactics in their own markets.
