Reader Poll: Should Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Be Banned?

November 19, 2015

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has called for a ban on the direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs and medical devices because the group believes this type of advertising boosts demand for costlier treatments when cheaper, but still effective, alternatives exist.

In addition, DTC ads may increase the chance that patients would pressure their physicians to be prescribed treatments that may or may not be appropriate because of ads they have seen.

The AMA noted that pharmaceutical companies have increased their ad spending by 30% over the last 2 years, to $4.5 billion annually.

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Cite this: Reader Poll: Should Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Be Banned? - Medscape - Nov 19, 2015.

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Reader Poll: Should Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Be Banned?

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