Healthy Skepticism Library item: 8208

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

Stange KC.
In This Issue: Doctor-Patient and Drug Company-Patient Communication
Annals of Family Medicine 5:2-4 (2007) 2007; 5:(1):2-4
http://www.annfammed.org/cgi/content/full/5/1/2

Abstract:

A content analysis study by Frosch and colleagues1 scrutinizes pharmaceutical television advertisements. While ads present facts and rational arguments, almost all make emotional appeals for their product. The majority of ads portray medication use as socially approved and as a way to regain control over some component of life. Few mention lifestyle approaches as a positive alternative or convey a balance of treatment options.

Editorialists David Kessler, former head of the US Food and Drug Administration, and Douglas Levy note that these ads promote pharmaceutical company profits but do not promote the public health. They emphasize drugs that have little to do with the predominant causes of morbidity and mortality and are not living up to standards of health education that focus on the public good.2

Unsaid in the study or editorial is the tremendous intrusion of such advertisements into the clinician-patient relationship…