Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11722

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

Iheanacho I.
Drugs, tales, and other stories: Don't mention it
BMJ 2007 Oct 13; 335:(7623):776
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/335/7623/776-a?etoc

Abstract:

Flick through a few newspapers and you’ll repeatedly come across a stark warning: “Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.” This threat isn’t some random frightener but a standard feature in advertisements for property loans. As such, it provides tangible balance for those contemplating the real or imagined advantages of the deals in question.

If only the possible harms of medicines were contextualised so clearly. Instead, it’s often assumed that the general public just cannot understand risk when it comes to drug treatment. So, as the thinking goes, it’s best not to go on about harms and side effects too much for fear of needlessly frightening patients or carers.

This well meaning attitude infects much of the communication (or lack of it) between healthcare professionals and patients about drug therapy. Although avoiding balanced discussion about risk may seem pragmatic, it can represent . . .

iiheanacho@bmjgroup.com