Pharma kept up the spending pace on TV in October. The top 10 brands nudged to $187 million total spending for the month, just ahead of September's already robust $182 million.
That’s in spite of AbbVie Humira dropping its spending by $20 million. Though it held onto the top slot even after that spending cut, other brands stepped up—to the tune of 16 drugs that each spent more than $10 million for the month.
One brand new to the list was Novo Nordisk’s oral GLP-1 diabetes med Rybelsus with its first TV ad. The animated commercial—created in that format because of COVID-19 restrictions—features a bright, happy world and upbeat remake of the golden oldie song “You are My Sunshine.” The promo for the only oral GLP-1 drug targets patients who are newly diagnosed as well as patients looking for options in managing blood sugar and weight.
Returning to the list in October were two antipsychotic drugs: Sunovion’s Latuda and Lundbeck and Otsuka’s Rexulti, both having launched new TV creative recently.
October marks another month of above-average spending for major pharma brands, tracking well above October 2019 spending of $165 million. The $187 million and $182 million spent in October and September 2020, respectively, continue the upswing from August’s $148 million and July’s $136 million.
1. Humira
Movement: Stayed same
What is it? AbbVie anti-inflammatory drug
Total estimated spending: $37.3 million (down from $57.7 million in September)
Number of spots: Five (Two for arthritis/psoriasis, three for ulcerative colitis/Crohn's)
Biggest-ticket ad: “Body of Proof: Bicycling, Painting, Traveling” (est. $15.2 million)
2. Opdivo and Yervoy
Movement: Up from No. 3
What is it? Bristol Myers dual-immunotherapy cancer regimen
Total estimated spending: $22 million (down slightly from $22.7 million in September)
Number of spots: One
Biggest-ticket ad: “Combination Immunotherapy”
3. Rybelsus
Movement: Not on list last month
What is it? Novo Nordisk oral GLP-1 diabetes med
Total estimated spending: $21.9 million
Number of spots: One
Biggest-ticket ad: “Wake Up”
4. Skyrizi
Movement: Up from No. 6
What is it? AbbVie next-gen psoriasis treatment
Total estimated spending: $19.3 million (up from $11.3 million in September)
Number of spots: Four
Biggest-ticket ad: “Nothing is Everything” (est. $8.7 million)
5. Dupixent
Movement: Down from No. 2
What is it? Regeneron and Sanofi atopic dermatitis and asthma treatment
Total estimated spending: $16.4 million (down from $23.1 million in September)
Number of spots: Four (Two for atopic dermatitis, two for asthma)
Biggest-ticket ad: “Du More: Backyards and Rain” (est. $9 million)
6. Jardiance
Movement: Up from No. 8
What is it? Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim SGLT2 diabetes treatment
Total estimated spending: $15.4 million (up from $10.4 million in September)
Number of spots: Four
Biggest-ticket ad: “Community Garden” (est. $7.1 million)
7. Latuda
Movement: Not on list last month
What is it? Sunovion Pharmaceutical antipsychotic
Total estimated spending: $14.8 million
Number of spots: One
Biggest-ticket ad: “Art”
8. Descovy
Movement: Down from No. 4
What is it? Gilead Sciences next-gen PrEP HIV drug
Total estimated spending: $13.5 million (down slightly from $13.7 million in September)
Number of spots: One
Biggest-ticket ad: “Prep Up”
9. Enbrel
Movement: Stayed same
What is it? Amgen’s TNF inhibitor for autoimmune diseases
Total estimated spending: $13.42 million (up from $10 million in September)
Number of spots: One
Biggest-ticket ad: “Erin & Margo”
10. Rexulti
Movement: Not on list last month
What is it? Otsuka and Lundbeck antipsychotic
Total estimated spending: $13.41 million
Number of spots: Two
Biggest-ticket ad: “These Days: Savings Card Benefit” (est. $7.9 million)