Healthy Skepticism Library item: 3538

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

Cohen EP.
Advertising of prescription drugs
New England Journal of Medicine 1988; 319:314-315

Abstract:

The study used to support the premise that direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs will lower prices is based on data more than 20 years old and may no longer be valid. DTCA will promote overconsumption and will not lead to patients asking about side effects. Masson et al. do not prove that price manipulation would not occur. Advertising of oral contraceptives may lead to wider use but not better knowledge and some of that use may be inappropriate.

Keywords:
*letter to the editor/United States/direct-to-consumer advertising/DTCA/consumer drug prices/safety & risk information/oral contraceptives/ consumer behaviour & knowledge/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMER DRUG COSTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS