Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3226

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

Survey: Consumers don't favor prescription drug advertising
American Pharmacy 1984 Jan 01; 24:(1):10

Abstract:

80% of 950 people attending FDA hearings reported opposing unregulated advertising of prescription drugs. Of these, 60% totally opposed advertising; 20% opposed it unless strictly government regulated; 20% supported DTCA. Alexander Grant, chief of FDA’s Office of Consumer Affairs, concluded that consumers want to participate in policy development as DTCA evolves. The results have been questioned by some FDA officials because only people interested in consumer affairs attended. DTCA opponents feared that it would increase drug prices, mislead the public, disrupt patient-physician relationships, increase unnecessary use of drugs, present an unbalanced picture of risks and benefits, and unfairly favor drug companies with large advertising budgets. Several people noted that the elderly would be at special risk since they are particularly vulnerable to gimmickry and unable to read fine print describing side effects and contraindications. Those who approved of DTCA thought FDA should prohibit ads for brand-name products, drugs for serious conditions like arthritis, depression, or cardiovascular disease (but they felt that ads for easily understood products like vaccines would be acceptable), and new drugs not yet evaluated by physicians. They felt that DTCA would educate patients about specific risks and benefits, familiarize patients about drugs, and lower drug prices by increasing competition.

Keywords:
*cross-sectional study/United States/