Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6847

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

Donovan J.
Advertising pharmaceuticals to Australian
Australian Prescriber 1999; 22:74-75
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazines/vol22no4/editorial.htm

Abstract:

In Australia, both consumers and health professionals have expressed a need for independent information about treatments, including pharmaceutical treatments. Should direct to consumer promotion of prescription medications be allowed in Australia? Pharmaceutical company advertising is not independent information. Consumers are poorly catered for in relation to independent information about medicines. It would be remiss of those responsible for public health policy if the pharmaceutical industry was the main provider of information to the public about prescription medicines.

Keywords:
*editorial/Australia/DTCA/direct-to-consumer advertising/general public and consumers/ patient education material/quality of information/ATTITUDES REGARDING PROMOTION: CONSUMERS/PATIENTS/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/PROMOTION AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS