In the footsteps of those JibJab boys, market watchdogs Consumers Union are presenting a hilarious song and Flash animation highlighting the greed and hypocrisy of prescription-drug pushers, and they’ve enlisted the innumerable talents of the Austin Lounge Lizards and Austin’s own Animation Farm to do so. Consumers Union, the minds behind Consumer Reports, have the video and the Lizards’ ribald MP3 at www.prescriptionforchange.com, showcasing the undesirable side effects of drugs of dubious value, and making a case for greater transparency in the drug industry. With the recent revelations regarding Vioxx, and drug company Merck’s foreknowledge of its side effects being no laughing matter, the Web site also enables surfers to urge Congress to adopt legislation requiring full disclosure of drug trial results.

This article appears in March 4 • 2005.

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