Doctor and senior woman wearing facemasks during coronavirus and flu outbreak. Virus protection. COVID-2019..

Several lawmakers in Congress are calling on pharmaceutical companies to stop or at least tamp down their direct-to-consumer advertisements. The $4.3 billion ad sector is being cited as a contributor to high healthcare costs. Rep. James Moran (D-VA) said the ads violate decency standards. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) said ads should not be shown right after receiving marketing approval from the government. Others say pharmaceutical companies should not be allowed to deduct advertising costs as a business expense. DTC was the second-biggest ad spender last year, according to Nielsen.