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Media Room
Release date 03/17/2009
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2009 – D.C. area residents who are trying to save money on medicine can go to Union Station this week for a free copy of a new magazine from Consumer Reports.
The display in Union Station’s main hall will be easy to spot: Just look for the giant pills running on treadmills.
The free magazine is called “Consumer Reports Best Drugs for Less.” The 60-page guide has ratings for more than 200 kinds of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicine for conditions such as allergies, insomnia, depression, and high cholesterol.
The Union Station display will feature actors in giant pill costumes who are “working out” on exercise equipment while actors in white lab coats “analyze” them.
The free “Best Drugs for Less” guide provides unbiased, independent evaluations to help people choose medicines that are safe, effective, and affordable. The magazine aims to assist patients and doctors in cutting through the clutter of drug advertising so they can make informed decisions about their medications.
“For many common medical conditions, the most expensive name-brand drug isn’t necessarily the best drug,” said Dr. John Santa, Director of the Health Rating Center for Consumer Reports Health. “This week, people in Washington, D.C. can pick up a free copy of this new guide to help navigate the pharmaceutical industry. It’s a resource that helps you understand which drugs are most effective, and which can shave hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars from your annual budget.”
When available, generic medicines are as safe and effective as the newer brand-name drugs, and can save consumers thousands of dollars on their yearly drug bills. However, a new survey by Consumer Reports found that nearly half of Americans polled (47%) said they had reservations about taking generic drugs.
The free distribution of “Best Drugs for Less” at Union Station is part of a weeklong Washington D.C. campaign to raise awareness about “comparative effectiveness” -- the evaluation of different options for treating a medical condition. The Obama administration’s recently-approved stimulus package dedicates $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research to determine which drugs, devices, and procedures are most effective and carry the lowest risk.
“By every measure, it is clear that our long term economic crisis will only be solved by also fixing our nation’s health-care system," said Jim Guest, the President of Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. "Comparative effectiveness research helps patients and doctors make better choices, and will help improve our broken health-care system," said Guest.
In addition to the Union Station event that will take place throughout the week, Consumer Reports will distribute free copies of “Best Drugs for Less” to congressional offices and at Metro stops on Capitol Hill.
More information about the “Best Drugs for Less” guide and comparative effectiveness is available online at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2009 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.
Consumer Reports is a nonprofit membership organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. For 80 years, CR has provided evidence-based product testing and ratings, rigorous research, hard-hitting investigative journalism, public education, and steadfast policy action on behalf of consumers’ interests. Unconstrained by advertising or other commercial influences, CR has exposed landmark public health and safety issues and strives to be a catalyst for pro-consumer changes in the marketplace. From championing responsible auto safety standards, to winning food and water protections, to enhancing healthcare quality, to fighting back against predatory lenders in the financial markets, Consumer Reports has always been on the front lines, raising the voices of consumers.
© 2009 Consumer Reports. The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports® magazine, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our prior written permission. Consumer Reports will take all steps open to it to prevent unauthorized commercial use of its content and trademarks.