Lipitor Ad Used Stunt Double?!?
Posted by Rachel on February 8, 2008
You’ve probably seen by now the Lipitor commercials with the earnest older doctor guy who “dedicated” himself to the heart because of his father, and he takes the cholesterol drug, and rows and is fit, so it must work. Right? Not so much. This artificial heart inventor, Dr. Jarvik,was apparently paid $1.35 million to serve as a spokesperson, and used a stunt double in the rowing scenes (Health Care Renewal notes why this deception matters). Oh, and he’s not a cardiologist or even a practicing physician. A Congressional committee is now investigating the whole thing, looking into “false and misleading statements and the use of celebrity endorsements of prescription medications in direct-to-consumer advertising.”
Seriously. Don’t ever rely on advertising to give you accurate medical information or drug advice.
Becky said
so true! The Wall Street Journal’s Health Blog has a nice little piece on who Jarvik really is, in terms of professional background.
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[...] Women’s Health News: Lipitor Ad Used Stunt Double?: Seriously. Don’t ever rely on advertising to give you accurate medical information or drug [...]
Linda said
The commercial never said he was a physician. He invented the artificial heart. People read into what is being said. He even goes into an explanation of what brought him into the invention of the heart. As far as the stunt man issue. This is a norm in the production of commercials.
Rachel said
Linda – I believe the question has become whether the ads (and other drug ads) are designed to mislead, or encourage people to read into them in a way that is not accurate. I find the stunt man thing amusing.
matt said
There’s a recent series of articles I came across about the slimey way of Pfizor and there Lipitor ads. Really intresting articles check them out.
Part One: ROBERT JARVIK, PFIZER’S PIMP WITH A PUMP
Part Two: LIPITOR- THE POISON THAT CAUSES CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE