Interesting Results

Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

While direct-to-consumer advertising has often been criticized, a survey of 1601 adults¹ found that it also has benefits:

81% of respondents reported that the ads inform them about new treatments for conditions they have.
64% said that the ads help them become more involved in decisions about which medications to take.
Nearly 70% of respondents said the ads inform them of risks associated with drugs.
80% think the ads provide information about the benefits of the drugs advertised.
17% said that direct consumer ads make them more likely to take drugs that have been prescribed for them.

¹ Anonymous (2002), “Better Living Through Television”, Marketing Health Services, 22(1), 6.