Show-Me State Times

Jeanette Hoffman, Executive Director of Patients Come First New Jersey, said lawsuit advertisements about medications may mislead patients and create dangerous confusion, particularly among those with chronic conditions. The statement was made in an op-ed published.

“These findings should alarm anyone who cares about patient safety,” said Hoffman. “Patients deserve accurate, science-based information, and that should come from their healthcare providers – not from a commercial meant to generate mass lawsuits. Right now, legal ads about medications are protected under free speech, but they are not held to the same regulatory standards as pharmaceutical advertising. When ads undermine trust in medicine, they can cost lives.”

According to a 2023 report from U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, the 340B program operates with minimal oversight, leaving patients in the dark about whether they benefit from the federally mandated discounts. The report found that hospitals and covered entities are not required to report how savings are spent, reducing transparency and accountability. The report concluded that reforms are necessary to protect the program’s mission and ensure it serves vulnerable populations.

A 2024 national survey commissioned by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform revealed that 83% of Americans want legal ads about medications to carry a warning advising patients to consult their doctor before stopping any treatment. The survey also showed that nearly 30% of respondents said such ads might make them avoid or stop using prescribed medications altogether. The Institute warned this trend could result in millions making unadvised and dangerous health decisions.

According to a March 2024 fact sheet from PhRMA, hospitals participating in the 340B program often mark up prescription drugs by 380% compared to their acquisition costs, contributing to higher costs for patients and employers. The report warns that this lack of pricing transparency—much like misleading legal ads—undermines trust and access in healthcare. It concluded that unchecked pricing practices create the same kind of confusion and harm that Jeanette Hoffman says puts patient safety at risk.

Jeanette Hoffman is the Executive Director of Patients Come First New Jersey and a longtime public affairs leader. According to her official biography, she also serves as president of a strategic communications firm representing corporations and nonprofits on public policy and issue advocacy. With more than two decades of experience and a national media presence, Hoffman brings deep expertise in healthcare messaging and legislative strategy.