Everytime you think you’ve seen the worst use of network TV time on "health" topics, something lower pops up on the screen.
Such was the case with ABC’s promotion of an off-label unapproved use of a laser for toenail fungus.
The ad – er, story – told us:
• "About half of all Americans over the age of 50 are struggling with this problem." Struggling? Really? Enough to warrant a $1200 treatment ($120 per toe) that is NOT covered by insurance? This is part of the 16% of the GDP that Americans spend on health care.
• ABC profiled one woman: "Meghan, like millions of Americans, has had her toe fungus for 15 years. It’s unsightly, embarrassing. And like others, she suffered in silence, not wanting to talk about it." Millions of us like poor Meghan – suffering in silence? But not silent any longer – thanks to almost 5 minutes of network news time.
• It’s just been introduced, but it’s already used by many podiatrists, but more testing is needed. But the story didn’t give any warnings about such proliferation of non-FDA approved uses of technologies.
ABC said this was "news for tens of millions of you out there right now." So is the fact that we spend 16% of the GDP on health care – much of it on stuff like this.
If you’re going to do a story on this topic – and it’s hard to avoid given how much Americans spend on it – check out the recent New York Times story for comparison. ABC’s segment wasn’t even in the ballpark.
Costs were covered – $120 per toe – not covered by insurance. But we are suspicious of the claimed 88% success rate and the number of treatments required to attain the level of "success" portrayed in the story. This may not be a one-shot, $1,200 deal.
See comments for "Evidence."
No discussion of any harms. Everything carries a potential harm. What do the studies show?
We’re told that the laser maker says it’s 88% effective. What does that mean? 88% never have a problem again? 88% get one treatment and that’s it? What happens to the other 12%? The network gave almost 5 minutes of airtime to this; they could have given more meaningful evidence. "Success" is not necessarily the same as the proclaimed "cure."
Classic case of disease mongering. Millions of us have it? Suffering in silence? Gag me.
Two true-believer health care professionals were profiled. No independent source appeared.
The story mentions topical solutions with limited effectiveness. And a prescription drug whose "side effects need to be closely monitored with blood tests." But no such scrutiny was applied to the off-label laser idea. That’s an unlevel playing field. Not news – but advertising promotion via network TV.
We’re told that many podiatrists are already using the laser for toenail fungus. But that doesn’t tell us much. We’re also told it was just introduced at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting. So which is it: just introduced? Or many already using it? Only 13 clinicians are listed on the company’s website as providers.
Is it an ethical use of network news time to give 5 minutes to something that is being promoted for off-label use? Do viewers really understand what that means? The novelty may come at a cost – and the network fawningly went along with all of the claims.
Toenail fungus is big business and as a result a number of approaches have been used and many are still in development. While one company’s laser was highlighted others are testing similar devices. In addition, other drugs and approaches are in the developmental stages as well. The promotion of an off label use that has no published study results available raises significant issues.
We can’t be sure if the story relied soley or largely on a news release.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.