Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6833

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Law J.
Assessing the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising
Scrip Magazine 1998 Nov; (73):21-22

Abstract:

According to a survey by Prevention Magazine more than 12 million Americans have received prescription drugs as a direct result of having seen them advertised. This finding is cited by the study as evidence of how effective DTCA is in promoting both public health and prescription medicines. However other groups such as Health Action International see the figures as evidence of inappropriate prescribing fueled by DTCA. This controversy is one reason why the Food and Drug Administration announced plans to conduct its own study. The amount of money being spent by the industry on DTCA is growing rapidly because of the changes in the FDA regulations about broadcast advertising. One reason that DTCA has found such a receptive audience is that it comes at a time when Americans are increasingly disillusioned with the healthcare they receive and want to do something about it.

Keywords:
*analysis/United States/direct-to-consumer advertising/DTCA/HAI/Health Action International/ analysis of prescribing pattern/ consumer behaviour & knowledge/doctors/general public and consumers/FDA/Food and Drug Administration/regulation of promotion/promotion costs and volume/attitude toward promotion/patient demands/ATTITUDES REGARDING PROMOTION: CONSUMERS/PATIENTS/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: COMPLIANCE, SANCTIONS, STANDARDS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION/VOLUME OF AND EXPENDITURE ON PROMOTION