Why prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs?
What are the economic consequences? – Advertising drives up prescription drug costs. – Companies almost always advertise their newest products to gain market share and recoup development costs. New drugs are not necessarily any safer or more effective, but they are usually costlier. Often little is known about rare or long-term risks. Does it help people choose medicines well? – The main goal of advertising is to increase product sales. It does not provide the impartial, objective information consumers need to make informed health choices. – Prescription drugs are not like other consumer goods. Even when used properly, they can cause serious harmful effects, sometimes even death. – A sick person is not like someone shopping for a new perfume. People are vulnerable when they are ill and often have to make extremely difficult treatment choices. – There is no evidence that advertising helps patients to make better choices about prescription drug use or that public health will improve as a
