The American Medical Association, or AMA, recommended that the federal government ban any direct-to-consumer advertising by drug companies. Hundreds of doctors voted to support a ban of these drug advertisements at the AMA’s annual meeting last month, according to The Hill. This is in an effort to reduce the cost of drugs, a major concern of the association, according to a news release from the AMA.

The cost of prescription drugs has risen recently, spiking 4.7 percent in 2015, according to the statement. Because of this increase, the cost of drugs has become the American people’s biggest health care concern. The AMA argues that this direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs drives demand and therefore, increases prices on the medications.

“Today’s vote in support of an advertising ban reflects concerns among physicians about the negative impact of commercially-driven promotions, and the role that marketing costs play in fueling escalating drug prices,” said AMA Board Chair-elect Dr. Patrice A. Harris in the statement. “Direct-to-consumer advertising also inflates demand for new and more expensive drugs, even when these drugs may not be appropriate.”

Pharmaceutical companies have spent $4.5 billion on advertising and the money spent has increased 30 percent in the last two years. The United States is one of only two countries in the world that allows this sort of advertising, with New Zealand being the other, according to the statement.

The concept of advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers at its core simply does not make sense. Most of the viewers of this drug advertising are not trained in the medical field and would not have the best judgement as to which medications would be best for their ailments. Shouldn’t that decision be left up to their doctors, who have a much better understanding of health problems and medications?

Additionally, drugs are meant to help people get better. So the fact pharmaceutical companies are spending billions of dollars per year to profit from people’s sicknesses is deeply concerning. Obviously, we live in a capitalist society and these companies are out to make money but limiting their direct influences over Americans might be the first step into making the process a little bit more moral for sick Americans.

Also, if almost every other country in the world has taken action to ban these advertisements, why hasn’t the United States? Obviously these other countries have seen or at least have predicted negative effects of these drug advertisements. In all, the United States counts for 34 percent of pharmaceutical sales, according to a PBS Newshour article. Perhaps, this country’s direct-to-consumer advertisements are partly to blame for why so many Americans are on drugs.

Lastly, it is concerning that many Americans can no longer afford their prescription drugs. According to PBS, 21 percent of adults in America did not fill a prescription or skipped doses because they could not afford the medicine. If the AMA believes banning these advertisements may lead to more affordable drugs, shouldn’t the federal government listen to this country’s doctors and ban the advertisements?