Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9225

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

Rothermich EA, Pathak DS.
Evaluation of quality of life appeals in prescription drug advertisements
1995 Jun; 52:

Abstract:

Quality of life (QOL) claims in prescription drug advertisements were evaluated in a three phase study. Part one consisted of a content analysis of QOL claims from three medical journals for the years 1984, 1988 and 1992. Part two was an evaluation of the references of QOL advertisements with attention to the study design and the validity of the instruments used to measure QOL. In part three, QOL advertisements were evaluated for compliance with FDA regulations. The results will be used to determine trends in the type, number, and attributes of QOL advertisements over the eight year period. The results will also help determine whether current FDA regulations are sufficient to ensure the validity of QOL advertisements.