Question

The US pharmaceutical industry spent $6.4 billion on advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers in 2016. Since 1962 these ads have been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that they are not false or misleading. The United States and New Zealand are the only two countries where direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs is legal.

Should Prescription Drugs Be Advertised Directly to Consumers?

Answer 1

Prescription drugs are those drugs that require a legal medical prescription to be dispensed. The reason behind the mandatory prescription is that such drugs can be harmful to health if are consumed without prescription from a legal medical practitioner. These drugs should not be advertised directly to customers because of the following reasons:

1. These are drugs are harmful to health and can affect the mind and body.

2. It could promote misinformation and ultimately lead to harmful effects on consumers.

3. An advertising agency may cite inappropriate publications to advertise and sell these drugs.

4. In the context of wrong consumption, it may lead to a financial medical burden on the consumer.

Therefore, prescription drugs should not be directly advertised to consumers.