Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1026

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: news

FDA Chief Seeks More Balance in Drug Ads
The LA Times 2003 Mar 25
http://articles.latimes.com/2003/mar/25/business/fi-rup25.6

Full text:

U.S. health officials are revising guidelines for prescription drug advertisements directed at consumers to ensure the promotions provide a balanced picture of risks and benefits, FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan said at a meeting with the National Assn. of Health Underwriters.

The FDA requires that television and print ads touting a prescription drug’s benefits also carry a summary of possible side effects. Many doctors questioned in a recent FDA survey said patients did not get the full message from the ads.