Results of a new study shows that drug ads are not doing a good job at helping consumers improve decisions about their health. The findings, released online in the American Journal of Public Health November 12, offer some guidelines to minimize the potential harm to health spawned by drug ads that leave out information or misguide consumers. Drug ad opponents say pharmaceutical companies need to improve consumer information by answering important questions and providing more useful information to the public.
According to Dominick L. Frosch, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles and lead author of the study, "American television viewers see as many as 16 hours of prescription drug advertisements each year, and the reality is that these ads are not doing a good job of helping consumers make better decisions about their health. If the pharmaceutical industry isn't willing to change the ads to make them more useful to consumers, Congress should consider passing legislation that will regulate the ads to improve the information provided in order to help patients make more informed choices."
The study shows there are some benefits to drug ads, but some of the harmful effects could be minimized with a bit of tweaking. Suggestions include presenting symptoms, how prevalent a condition is, and who is at risk. The study authors also suggest getting rid of video and audio distractions.
Guidelines for drug ads should also include information about alternative treatments, generic equivalents available and specific benefits of the medications advertised. The study, titled A Decade of Controversy: Balancing Policy with Evidence in the Regulation of Prescription Drug Advertising ,is geared toward minimizing the harm, and maximizing the benefits of drug ads that if presented differently really could help consumers make informed and better decisions about their health.
Congress members who oppose drug ads say they present nonmedical problems like illnesses that are treatable. Proponents claim they are educational and help with prescription drug compliance. Some drug ads leave much to be desired, and the new study shows that drug advertising could even harm health.
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Comments
Drug ads are ridiculous! The freakin' disclaimers take up 10-25% of the commercial time with side effects that are often worse than the condition the drugs are touted to treat...including lymphoma and walking or driving while asleep with no recollection of the event...and asthma drugs that could cause asthma related death! Big Pharma needs a bit in their mouth since it's obvious they have no real concern for the American public outside of the public's ability to dive into their already stressed pockets! I need some pretendatrin!
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