Shaun Noorian, CEO of Empower Pharmacy, said that pharmaceutical advertising has shifted decision-making from medical providers to patients. This shift, he noted on a podcast, has contributed to higher drug demand and positioned the U.S. as the largest pharmaceutical market.
"Pharma was able to convince our legislators that doing commercials letting patients decide pretty much for themselves what's in their best interests," said Noorian. "Now patients are going to their medical providers and saying I want this drug and if you don't write it for me I'm going to go to somebody else. A medical provider would more or less determine what's in a patient's best interest. This is one of the reasons why pharma makes this is the largest pharmaceutical market in the world."
The corporate pharmaceutical industry's influence over U.S. healthcare policy has raised concerns due to its extensive lobbying and campaign contributions. According to Pharma Focus America, pharmaceutical companies rank among the top lobbyists in Washington, spending over $350 million in 2022 alone to shape legislation on drug pricing and regulation. This influence enables policies that favor corporate profits over affordability, contributing to the U.S. having some of the highest drug costs globally. The sector's power also raises ethical questions about its role in public health decisions.
In 2022, U.S. pharmaceutical companies spent $7.6 billion on direct-to-consumer drug advertising, up from $6.8 billion in 2021, with $1.68 billion focused on just ten drugs. Leader’s Edge Magazine reports that the U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries allowing this practice, setting them apart from global norms. The legality of this advertising in the U.S. is often criticized for encouraging overmedication and inflating healthcare costs.
According to a 2024 report by the RAND Corporation, prescription drug prices in the U.S. are nearly three times higher than those in other wealthy countries. The study found brand-name drugs in the U.S. cost over four times more on average, while generic drugs were comparatively cheaper. These disparities highlight systemic pricing issues and the lack of cost control mechanisms in the U.S. healthcare system.
Noorian is also known as the founder and CEO of Empower Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy based in Houston. According to The CEO Magazine, he holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has led Empower since 2009. Under his leadership, Empower has grown into one of the nation’s largest facilities of its kind, recognized for its innovation and regulatory compliance.