Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9661

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

Robinson B.
Consumer Rx ads viewed warily by pharmacists
Drug Topics 1986 Feb 17; 130:94, 96

Abstract:

Pharmacist’s viewpoints on direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs are presented. Most pharmacists felt that direct-to-consumer advertising would inappropriately raise consumer demands for prescription drugs due to the emotional response created by advertising. This in turn would put increased pressure on doctors to prescribe against their limited knowledge rather than based on their better judgment. But most alarming to pharmacists are the economic issues of who will pay for the cost of mass media advertising which can reach $500,000/min during prime TV broadcasting.