US rappers spoof DTC advertising and Big Pharma

The beleaguered US pharma industry is now under attack from rappers.

US rap group Sudden Death has released a single called "Pillagers", which spoofs direct-to-consumer advertising of drugs and the pharmaceutical industry.

The song contains a fake advertisement for a fictional product, and according to local media reports has quickly became a number one hit on the top-rated radio show transmitted across the US.

The song describes a man who is taking about two dozen pills for ailments, such as "soft eyeballs" and flatulence and been told by his doctor that he must now take another pill for his mood swings.

Liquiplox is a "liquid solution that relaxes the lining of your throat making it easier to take pills". The rappers reel off all the drug's side effects in rap form.

The lyrics state: "Side effects include headache, runny nose, drowsiness and a rash/ a sugar high, bloating, and an absence of cash/ vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea/ and an overwhelming urge to buy a couch from Ikea."

The song goes on to mock a board of director's meeting at a fictional drug company, which is brainstorming new products in order to maintain their stock because the projected USD 7tn in sales is not enough to please investors. The resulting new drug is named is Liquiplox.

"Liquiplox isn't for everyone. People without health insurance or who otherwise may be unable to pay should not take Liquiplox. Do not stop taking any of your other medications without consulting your doctor as this may cause an unsafe drop in our profit margins."

The song was first released as a free download at The Funny Music Project's website: www.TheFuMP.com, or the FuMP, and was adopted by legendary radio DJ Dr Demento and is one of the most requested songs so far in 2007.