Ads provide information. Doctors have less time than ever to provide information to their patients, much less build relationships. Consumers want information at least as much as they want to be able to make decisions. Just knowing that pills for depression can work well is news worth repeating. The positive side Ads can provide better choices.
More information implies more choice, and if there is an American core value, it is choice.
Many medical conditions can be attended to without a physician's touch. So, Claritin might be reasonable to try next. Ads equalize power between clinician and patient. New pharmaceutical advances include more effective medications with less frequent dosing and fewer side effects. Patients who get their medical information from ad campaigns can be one step ahead when the doctor walks into the office.