Advertising in dermatology journals: Journals' and journal editors' policies, practices, and attitudes

Abstract

Problems in some advertisements in medical journals, including dermatology journals, have been identified in various studies. Examples have included poorly supported claims, failure to balance claims of efficacy with potential adverse effects of a drug, and slogans that recommend prescribing a drug for groups of patients different from those assessed in a referenced study. We sought to assess dermatology journals' and dermatology journal editors' policies, practices, and attitudes toward prescription-medicine advertising in dermatology journals. We searched dermatology journals' paper copies and World Wide Web sites for statements of advertising policy and sent surveys to dermatology journal editors. Of 22 journals, 8 (36.4%) had an advertising policy published in a paper copy or a World Wide Web site. Of 17 editors (70.8%) from 17 journals (77.3%) who responded to the survey, 3 reported having an advertising policy; these policies were also identified in searches of paper copies or World Wide Web sites. Two editors whose journals each had a published policy reported not having one. In all, 7 editors (41.2%) reported that they or other physician members of the editorial board reviewed advertisements before publication in the previous year. A total of 8 editors (47.1%) agreed somewhat or strongly that advertisements in medical journals, including dermatology journals, generally present information that is accurate, and 12 (70.6%) agreed somewhat or strongly with the same statement regarding advertisements appearing in their own journal. In all, 12 editors (70.6%) agreed somewhat or strongly that advertisements should be reviewed for accuracy by the editorial staff before publication, and 3 (17.6%) agreed somewhat or strongly that advertisements should be reviewed for accuracy before publication in a peer-review process similar to that used for submitted manuscripts. This study did not assess processes by which editors or other members of editorial or publishing staffs review advertisements before publication. Policies, practices, and attitudes toward advertising vary among dermatology journals and dermatology journal editors. Journals, especially those without a policy, should consider establishing policies to separate and, therefore, minimize conflicts of interest between editorial and business aspects of publication.