Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2450

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

Health Action International.
The Erice Statement on drug advertising to consumers
2002;
http://www.haiweb.org/campaign/DTCA/EriceStatement2002.doc

Abstract:

A group of clinical pharmacologists, physicians, pharmaceutical industry representatives, medical and general journalists, communications professionals, and consumer advocates met in Erice, Italy, on May 9-13, 2002 to discuss drug advertising to consumers. The meeting was triggered by proposed changes to European Union legislation on the advertising of prescription medicines to the public. Its purpose was to consider the wider implications of direct-to-consumer prescription medicine advertising and its relationship to the information needs of the public and of patients, throughout the world. Everyone agreed on the fundamental need for high quality medicines information, but participants differed in their view on advertising of prescription medicines to consumers. Some wanted to maintain the present prohibition of direct-to-consumer advertising; others would allow advertising subject to strict control by an independent, non-commercial, multi-representative statutory body, affiliated to the Regulatory Authority or the Ministry of Health. The arguments supporting each of these views are summarized.

Keywords:
*policy statement & guideline Italy European Union Health Action International DTCA direct-to-consumer advertising INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS INFORMATION FROM INDUSTRY: PATIENTS AND CONSUMERS PROMOTION AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING REGULATIONS, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION