Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12755

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

Naik RK, Borrego ME, Gupchup GV, Dodd M, Sather MR.
Pharmacy students' knowledge, attitudes, and evaluation of direct-to-consumer advertising.
Am J Pharm Educ 2007 Oct 15; 71:(5):86
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17998983

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To assess pharmacy students’ knowledge, attitudes, and evaluation of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). METHODS: A cross sectional, self-administered, 106-item survey instrument was used to assess first, second, and third professional year pharmacy students’ knowledge about DTCA regulations, attitudes toward DTCA, and evaluation of DTC advertisements with different brief summary formats (professional labeling and patient labeling) and in different media sources (print and television). RESULTS: One hundred twenty (51.3%) of the 234 students enrolled participated in the study. The mean percentage knowledge score was 48.7% +/- 12.5%. Based on the mean scores per item, pharmacy students had an overall negative attitude toward DTC advertisements. Students had an overall negative attitude toward television and print advertisements using the professional labeling format but an overall positive attitude toward the print advertisement using the patient labeling format. CONCLUSIONS: Lectures discussing DTC advertising should be included in the pharmacy curriculum.

Keywords:
Advertising as Topic/economics Advertising as Topic/methods* Consumer Health Information/economics Consumer Health Information/methods* Cross-Sectional Studies Drug Industry/economics Drug Industry/methods Female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice* Humans Male Students, Pharmacy*