The Dangers Of Direct-to-consumer Prescription Drug Ads
Consumers always have advertisements thrown their way by several companies that deal in various products and services.As the the marketplace becomes very competitive, it can be hard to resist the offers and new products and services being offered at attractive rates.
There are various forms of advertising such as direct to consumer advertising also known as DTC advertising.
At the end of the day as a customer, you are spoilt for choice with all the different companies offering you discounts and various things that will make you make a purchase from them.Direct to consumer advertising is commonly used by health care providers especially for prescription drug advertisements geared towards patients.
This form of advertising is used by drug manufacturing companies in creating an interest in their products ans the increase of sales.DTC advertising has its advantages and disadvantages for all the parties involved, the patients, the health care industry and the drug manufacturing companies.
The dangers of direct to consumer drug ads include;
Exaggeration of the drug Advertisements can be misleading at times, and this is applies to all products and services being advertised.Drug companies that advertise there drugs may exaggerate the benefits of the drug and give misleading information to the consumer.
For example, if a drug shows someone smiling away after taking a pill of paracetamol within such a short time, then this may mislead the consumer.If they are made to believe that paracetamol works instantly yet this may not be the case, then they may be disappointed when they take the actual drug expecting instant results.
Incomplete information about the drug
When a drug company is advertising a drug they will not mention the side effects of the drug.
This can be dangerous for consumers who may have a bad reaction after taking the drug without prior knowledge of the side effects.Drug ads may omit crucial information that the consumer needs to know.
Encourages self medication.
A consumer who has seen and read an advert related to a drug may assume that it is fine to self medicate.This is wrong because, in most cases the symptoms of the illness may be indicative of a different illness altogether.
Self medication is a wrong practice, that is why there are qualified health professionals such as Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Dispensers among others, to help with guiding the consumer on the right drug and in what dosage they should take the medication.
DTC advertisements are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which requires that all drug companies inform consumers all about the drug's side effects.