Healthy Skepticism Library item: 15047

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

Polen HH, Khanfar NM, Clauson KA.
Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) on Patient Health-Related Behaviors and Issues.
Health Mark Q. 2009; 26:(1):42-55
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19197587

Abstract:

The pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars annually on direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). Patient perspectives on the impact of televised DTCA on health-related behaviors and issues were assessed by means of a 68-question survey. 58.6% of respondents believed that DTCA allowed consumers to have a more active role in managing their health. However, 27.6% felt DTCA caused confusion, and an alarming 17.8% of respondents stopped taking their medication because of concerns about serious side effects mentioned in DTCA. Overall, participants believed DTCA plays a useful role in health self-management; however, a considerable percentage thought that the cost outweighs the benefits.