That article is about promotional budgets, which is at least subtly different than advertising budgets. For instance, it includes $15.9 billion in samples (which are certainly promotional, but giving patients free drugs does not immediately jump to mind when you say advertising).
Do you mind explaining what's wrong with having advertising budgets? Remember that investment into marketing is tested with the same yardstick as R&D investments - revenue generated per dollar invested. If marketing isn't effective then it won't be done.
Keep in mind that marketing drugs is a purely American thing; in most other countries with sane healthcare policies you can market awareness of a condition but not a drug to treat the condition. Doctors should be the one helping a patient decide which medication is best for their situation, not some ad exec.
When R&D budgets are no longer superseded by advertising budgets at pharmaceutical firms[1], I will start to find this line of argument compelling.
[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080105140107.ht...