Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7910

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

Levy S.
Study finds strong consumer awareness of DTC Rx ads
Drug Topics 2000 Jul 3; 144:47

Abstract:

The results of a recent telephone survey of 1000 adults conducted to examine consumer awareness of drugs promoted in direct to consumer (DTC) advertising are presented. Approximately 61% of consumers who said they would not take an advertised drug were deterred by the side effect information presented in TV commercials; 38% were put off by side effects stated in magazine ads. Over 2/3 of respondents said they seek information about prescription drugs from physicians and pharmacists. A little over half of the respondents said they utilize media sources for prescription information. Women go to more sources for information than men. Consumers who are not aware of DTC advertising are also more likely to rely on their pharmacists for information. About 1 in 10 consumers said the information in the ad made them want to take the specific drug; equal numbers said the advertising made them not want to take the drug.