Pharmaceutical companies have found a way around federal regulations on advertising drugs like the antismoking remedy Chantix by creating ads that refer readers and viewers to websites like mytimetoquit.com rather than touting the drug directly by name.

The Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 29 that Food and Drug Administration rules requiring drug-makers to disclose potential side-effects when advertising drugs has proven to be a disincentive to such ads. Companies like Chantix maker Pfizer, Inc., however, are producing ads that feature a narrative about health problems and then directs viewers to go online for more information. In the case of the Chantix ads, the mytimetoquit.com website features information on the drug as well as side effects.

The FDA rules state that ads don't have to include information on side effects if they don't mention the drug by name, and such "unbranded product advertising" is becoming more popular.

"The goal of the My Time to Quit campaign is to encourage people to quit smoking," said Pfizer spokeswoman Sally Beatty. "My Time to Quit is designed to encourage people who are thinking about quitting to speak to their healthcare provider about the benefits of quitting smoking and available treatment options."

Chantix has be linked to serious health consequences, such as suicide and drowsiness, prompting alerts from federal regulators and a ban on pilots using the drug. Indirect ads could heighten concerns among members of Congress already critical of industry advertising tactics, but industry critic Ruth Day of Duke University gave a positive review of mytimetoquit.com, saying it contains useful information and that details on side effect were easy to find.