Jennifer Riley, the Statewide Executive Director of Patients Come First Pennsylvania, has expressed concerns over misleading television advertisements about medications. According to Riley, these ads are causing confusion and risk for patients by encouraging distrust in safe prescriptions. Her statement was made in an op-ed.
“These ads are designed to generate lawsuits, but new polling shows they are also generating fear that can put patients at risk,” said Riley. “It turns out these ads people see on TV have serious unintended consequences, including giving the false impression that lawyers know more than doctors. Some lawsuit advertisements are presented in a way that looks and sounds like government-mandated health or public safety alerts. Patients deserve clear, accurate, and science-based information.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a crackdown on deceptive prescription drug advertising. The agency said it is taking “sweeping new steps” to protect patients by holding drug manufacturers accountable when ads omit risks, exaggerate benefits, or mislead consumers. The FDA emphasized that accurate and balanced information is critical for patient safety.
According to a report by the American Tort Reform Association, from 2017 through 2024, law firms and aggregators spent more than $15 billion on legal advertising across the United States. Pennsylvania was among the most heavily targeted states, with over 2.6 million local ads run during that period. These campaigns frequently focused on prescription drugs and medical devices.
A national survey commissioned by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform found that 68% of Americans said lawsuit ads about prescription drugs would make them more likely to stop taking their medications. The report warned these ads could scare millions of patients into abandoning prescriptions without consulting their doctors, posing risks to public health.
Riley serves as the Pennsylvania Executive Director of Patients Come First. A lifelong Pennsylvanian, she has spent more than 20 years leading advocacy campaigns at local, state, and national levels. Recognized among Pennsylvania’s most influential women, she is known for her leadership across public service, media, business, and nonprofit sectors.
