Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines: A systematic review of the evidence from the perspective of the consumer

Abstract

Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines (DTCA) is a controversial practice where many of the arguments for and against are not supported by strong evidence. There is little research that considers DTCA from the consumer's perspective, and this paper explores consumer education, consumer protection, medicalisation of consumer conditions and patient doctor relationships. The paper concludes that little is known about the impact of DTCA on actual consumer behaviour in relation to drug acquisition and use.