Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6673

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: report

Canadian Drug Manufacturers Association
Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medications
Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Drug Manufacturers Association 1996 Jun
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut/zfiles/english/consult/wkshd2ca.zip

Abstract:

Given the current government fiscal situation and the desire for consumers to be more involved in their meidical therapy, it is important for the public to have access to accurate and balanced information pertaining to drug therapy. The Canadian Drug Manufacturers Association, representing the generic drug industry in Canada, does not feel that currently practised direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines is an appropriate method to optimize government health care expenditures and adequately inform the consumer. The CDMA beleives that consumer information on prescription drugs should not be provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers to the public unsolicited without preapproval by an independent and unbiased party, if it is to be provided at all. The information should also be readily available frolm a number of objective sources who would provide the information upon request by the consumer.

Keywords:
*policy statement & guideline/Canada/direct-to-consumer advertising/DTCA/regulation of promotion/preclearance of advertisements/consumer behaviour & knowledge/ATTITUDES REGARDING PROMOTION: INDUSTRY/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE