A defense of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising

Abstract

Within the past 20 years, consumer advertising of prescription drugs has grown from a rarity to one of the most pervasive forms of consumer advertising, with ads for antidepressants and heart medications now as common as those for fast food and automobiles. At the same time, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising has attracted a growing chorus of criticism from consumer advocates, health professionals, and elected officials. This article explores the extent to which such criticism has merit and the extent to which it lacks soundness. Specifically, the article casts doubt on the charges that (1) DTC advertising is deceptive; (2) DTC downplays product risks; (3) DTC focuses on trivial or imaginary maladies; (4) DTC doesn’t promote non-pharmaceutical solutions to health problems; (5) DTC harms the doctor-patient relationship; and (6) DTC is responsible for the rapid rise in drug costs.