Question

Why should prescription drugs be not advertised directly to consumers? Write at least five reasons.

Answer 1

The prescription drugs should be not advertised directly to consumers as it causes considerable public harm through misinformation and the stimulation of demand for unsuitable or unnecessary, costly treatment, leading to inappropriate prescribing. According to researches, it has been discovered that DTC ads provide biased educational material and emotional appeals that promote drugs over healthy alternatives. The misuse of scientific evidence may erode the bond of trust between the patient and the physician and evidence-based advice contributes to the public confusion.