Visual Analysis

For my research topic I thought about pharmaceutical ads and the impact that it brings to the viewers. Pharmaceutical ads are constantly being released to promote and increase the companies market sales. A great example is Zyrtec OTC. It just became available to buy over the counter at the same prescription strength. Zyrtec’s patent was about to end, so Pfizer decides to come up with yet another tactic to keep selling their product. Patients may see this more of a convenience. Since they no longer have to worry about the prescription expiring or having enough refills, they can just go buy it at the nearest store like Tylenol. They save the trip to the doctor, the waiting at the pharmacy, and they avoid headaches. But are they really saving? The cost is just as expensive as before it went over the counter except now the prescription insurances will not cover it. In the long run, these so called advantages start becoming more of disadvantages.
The picture above is from a Zoloft ad. We can all recognize the little bean that comes out on other commercials. Not much color is used except for the blue for the dress. Zoloft is for depression not a red bull. That is what the image seems to get across. From depression we can get the feeling of flying after taking Zoloft. The fact that the drawing of the girl is not very attractive to begin with, actually it is a bit distorted. But depending from what point of view it is being absorbed from, this ad will give hope to those with depression.