Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6720

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

Lexchin J.
Consequences of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs.
Can Fam Physician 1997 Apr; 43:594-6,:

Abstract:

The rationale for allowing direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs is that it would lead to better health outcomes for consumers. There is no data available to evaluate this outcome. Therefore, the consequences of DTCA for prescription drugs needs to be assessed against the quality of DTCA for nonprescription medicines and the quality of promotion to physicians. In both cases there are significant problems. Moreover, it is likely that DTCA will negatively affect physician prescribing. Consumers want and need more information but there is a fundamental distinction between advertising and information.

Keywords:
*editorial/Canada/ direct-to-consumer advertising/ DTCA/ over-the-counter medications/ quality of information/ quality of prescribing/ Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board (Can)/ broadcast advertisements/ print advertisements/references/journal advertisements/preclearance of advertisements/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ADVERTISING/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: GENERAL QUALITY OF INFORMATION/EVALUATION OF PROMOTION: JOURNAL ADVERTISEMENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: CONSUMERS AND PATIENTS/INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: PRESCRIBING, DRUG USE/PROMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES: USE OF REFERENCES /REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: AUTONOMOUS BODIES/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: COMPLIANCE, SANCTIONS, STANDARDS/REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION Advertising*/standards Canada Drug Industry* Drug Utilization Humans Patient Education* Physician's Practice Patterns Prescriptions, Drug*