Spending on direct-to-consumer drug advertising in the United States increased dramatically from 1997 to 2005, rising 296.4% over that period compared to an 86% increase in promotional spending targeted at physicians. While proponents argue that drug ads educate patients and empower them to discuss health issues with doctors, critics counter that the ads often mislead consumers by overstating benefits and understating risks in order to inappropriately influence patients to request unnecessary or non-indicated drugs. Concerns also include the weak oversight of drug advertising by the FDA and the potential for drug company influence undermining the physician-patient relationship.

1. Drug Advertising The pros, cons and caveats

2. Introduction How bad has it become? Youtube Act 1 Youtube Act 2

4. Spending on drug advertising from 1997 - 2005 Prescription Drugs: Improvements Needed in FDA's Oversight of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising ', GAO report Number GAO-07-54, December 14, 2006 Year Spending on DTC advertising Spending on promotion to physicians Retail value of samples R & D 1997 $1.1 $3.9 $6.0 $15.5 2000 $2.5 $5.6 $8.5 $21.4 2003 $3.3 $7.4 $13.5 $27.1 2004 $4.0 $7.8 $15.9 $29.8 2005 $4.2 $7.2 not available $31.4 Avg annual % increase 19.6 9.0 14.9 9.3 Total % increase, ‘97-’05 296.4 86.0 162.4 103.3

5. Incentives for refills http://www.fda.gov/cder/ddmac/P3Benzing/sld023.htm

6. Patient & caregiver tools http://www.fda.gov/cder/ddmac/P3Benzing/sld023.htm

7. Pros for consumer Educates patients Prompts patients to visit doctor Prompts patients to talk about difficult conditions Can reduce costs by early treatment Might alert patients to a potential disease Empowers consumers to be active in their care

8. Pros for doctor Facilitates communication with patients Prompts patients to discuss conditions openly Promotes need for MDs to remain educated about drugs Strengthens provider-patient bond

9. Pros for drug companies Drug companies feel patients have right to know and choose They empower consumers with information They urge patients to seek treatment Can reduce spending on medical services through early treatment and diagnosis

10. Cons of drug advertising Appeals to emotions Misleading Benefits overstated Understated risks & side effects Influences patients to ask for meds they don’t need Encourages money on brand names

11. More cons… Sometimes they target a condition that is not a condition (like the spoofs) Undermines physician/patient relationship Bribery from drug companies Consumers lack information on safety & efficacy needed to make a smart decision FDA oversight is weak

12. http://democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/commercialalert/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1415&t=stop_drug_ads_home.dwt