Virginia Board of Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council

Virginia Board of Pharmacy v. Virginia Citizens Consumer Council (1976) was a Supreme Court case that recognized commercial speech—like advertising—as protected by the First Amendment. The case involved restrictions on pharmaceutical advertising; the Court ruled that commercial speech is entitled to free speech protections, allowing consumers to access information and make informed decisions. This decision established that commercial speech is not less deserving of First Amendment rights than other types of expression, signifying a shift toward greater protection for commercial free speech in U.S. law.