Drug Ads Don't Live Up to Manufacturers' Claims

Drug companies claim that direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads educate the
public about medical conditions and treatments. But the controversial
ads actually teach very little, according to a new analysis, which
concluded that regulation is needed if drug manufacturers don,t improve
their ads. The study reviewed 320 print ads in 18 popular magazines over
the past decade. On an 11-point scale of educational content, the
average ad scored only 3.2 points.

"No English-speaking country other than the United States permits
direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising, said study author Dr.
Richard L. Kravitz. "A leading argument in favor of allowing this
advertising is that the ads are educational; however, our research shows
that in practice this argument often falls short.

The Journal of Family Practice December 2000.
http://www.msu.edu/

-----

for more, visit www.craiganderson.net