This document provides an overview of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs. It defines DTCA as pharmaceutical companies promoting prescription drugs directly to consumers through television, radio, print or online ads. The goals of DTCA are to inform consumers about diseases and treatment options and encourage patients to talk to their doctors. While DTCA increases disease awareness and treatment information for patients, it may also lead to patient self-diagnosis and pressure on doctors to prescribe advertised drugs. The FDA regulates DTCA in the US, while countries like New Zealand have debated banning it due to concerns about misleading ads and increased healthcare costs.
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1. Noora Alali
Oshba Alsuwaidi
Amanda Ha
Patricia Cucinotta
Marion Petryk
Cindy Tam
Maria Tatarsky
2. Overview
What is DTCA?
Goals of DTCA
History of DTCA
Different types of DTC Advertisements
Pros and Cons
DTCAs role in drug spending and prescribing
Laws in the U.S.
DTCA in other countries
New Zealand
India
Future of DTC
3. What is Direct-to-Consumer
Advertising?
Also known as DTCA
Pharmaceutical companys promotion of prescription
drugs
Aimed at a general audience (consumers)
Appear on TV and radio, in magazines and newspapers,
and also online
4. Goals of DTCA
Inform consumers about different diseases
Inform consumers about different treatment options
Encourages patients to visit their primary care physicians
Make doctors and patients better partners
5. History of DTCA
1950s - early 1980s
Pharmaceutical ads directed to medical personnel and
absent from mass media
First DTC television ad for Boots Pharmaceuticals Rufen
(ibuprofen) aired in early 1980s
Advent of Merck and Dohmes advertising campaign for
Pneumovax, pneumonia vaccine
Pharmaceutical companies recognized that doctor-patient
relationships changed with the rise of consumer and
patients rights movement
6. History of DTCA
1983 1985
DTCA suspended so FDA could create a more explicit
policy
1997
FDA relaxed rules so that drug companies use drugs
brand name and describe benefits in the same ad
Before 1997, drug companies can only use drugs
name but cannot disclose what it was intended to
treat
8. Product Claim Advertisements
Most common form
Includes brand name & medical condition
Describe risks and benefits
Must contain safety & efficacy information
Must comply with fair-balance rule
Paxil Product Claim Commercial
9. Help-Seeking Advertisements
A.K.A. disease-awareness communications
Talks about disease or medical condition
Does not discuss name of drug
Creates awareness of health conditions among
consumers
No requirement for risk information
Encourages physician consultations
Vaccine Help-Seeking Commercial
10. Reminder Advertisements
Talks about brand, dosage form, and cost
information
Does not include medical condition
Does not make claims about the product
Reinforces brand name and brand loyalty
12. Pros of DTCA
Informs consumers about new treatments
Meets increasing demand for medical information
Encourages people to seek medical attention for
conditions or symptoms that might otherwise go
untreated
Patients are not ashamed of their diseases.
Patients are more proactive in their personal health.
16. Cons of DTCA
Patients may misunderstand ads and request a
prescription for an illness they may not have
Patients start to self- diagnose and think they need
treatment when they dont.
Physicians can feel pressured to prescribe a particular
medication.
17. DTCA Role in Costs
Research and Development (R&D) costs and promotion
costs are rising.
DTC costs are barely changing.
R&D is still the main point of spending of pharmaceutical
companies.
20. Who Regulates DTCA?
The FDA regulates the advertising of prescription drugs
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
The Division of Drug, Marketing, Advertising, and
Communications (DDMAC) within the FDA's Center for
Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is responsible for
implementing the regulations governing DTC advertising
21. FDA Regulations
Section 502(n) of the FFDCA requires that an
advertisement include "the established name, the brand
name (if any), the formula showing quantitatively each
ingredient, and information in brief summary which
discusses side effects, contraindications, and
effectiveness."
22. FDA Regulations
Prescription drug advertising regulations in the Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 21, part 202 (21 CFR part 202)
specify that prescription drug advertisements must not
be false or misleading,
must not omit material facts, and
must present a fair balance between effectiveness and
risk information.
23. FDA Regulations
If the FDA identifies a violation of laws or regulations in a
DTC advertisement, the agency may issue a regulatory
letter asking the drug company to take specific actions.
Untitled letters address violations, such as overstating
the effectiveness of the drug.
Warning letters target pharmaceutical companies that
engage in continued violations of the act or address
companies engaged in serious violations that affect
consumer safety or health.
24. FDA Educational Program
FDA's educational outreach program is designed to
educate healthcare providers about the role they can
play in helping the agency make sure that prescription
drug advertising and promotion is truthful and not
misleading.
The "Bad Ad" Program is administered by DDMAC
25. PhRMA Regulations
The pharmaceutical industry attempts to self-regulate
through a 15-point code of conduct issued by its trade
association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
of America (PhRMA)
Example:
All such advertising should be "accurate and not
misleading, should make claims only when supported
by substantial evidence, should reflect balance
between risks and benefits, and should be consistent
with FDA-approved labeling."
26. DEA Issues With DTCA
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is
concerned about the issues of direct to consumer
advertising of controlled substance products and the
promotion of such products to the medical community
and may be contrary to the public interest.
28. Internet Issues With DTCA
FDA sent out warning letters in March 2009 to 14
pharmaceutical companies about online advertisements
that violated regulations
Omission of risk information
Minimization of risk information
Inadequate communication of indication
Overstatement of efficacy
Failure to use established brand names
29. DTCA in New Zealand
DTC was permitted in New Zealand under conditions set
by the Medicines Act (1981) and Medicines Regulations
(1984).
The new type of advertising wasnt used until late 1980s,
specifically 1989 when then SmithKline and French ran a
two-page advertisement in a magazine promoting a
Hepatitis B vaccine.
In the same year Edinburgh Pharmaceuticals advertised
Ventolin.
None of these advertisements actually complied with the
legislative requirements.
30. DTCA in New Zealand
Merck Sharp and Dohmes Proscar (finasteride), a
treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy, was the first
television aired DTC advertisement in New Zealand.
Doctors who may not receive details for drugs before the
launch of advertising campaigns that generate consumer
inquiries cause potential harm.
Sets up a complex relationship with patients
31. New Zealand: Medsafe
Medsafe is the New Zealand Medicines and Medical
Devices Safety Authority. It is a business unit of the
Ministry of Health and is the authority responsible for the
regulation of therapeutic products in New Zealand.
Mission: To enhance the health of New Zealanders
by regulating medicines and medical devices
to maximize safety and benefit.
Medsafe is accountable to the Ministry of Health, and
through the Ministry to the Minister of Health.
www.medsafe.govt.nz/
32. New Zealand: Medsafe
Medsafe regulates products used for a therapeutic
purpose. They include:
Medicines
Related products
Herbal remedies
Medical devices
Controlled drugs used as medicines
33. New Zealand: Medsafe
Pre-marketing approval must be obtained for new
and changed medicines. New medicines cannot be
marketed in New Zealand without the consent of the
Minister of Health. Medicines to which changes have
been made cannot be marketed without the consent
of the Director-General of Health. Data that
satisfactorily establish the quality, safety and efficacy
of the product, for the purposes for which it is to be
used, must be submitted for evaluation before
consent can be granted.
34. New Zealand: DTCA Review
In 1994 a review of the Medicines Act proposed that DTC
be banned, but the Ministry of Health was favoring
industry self-regulation to shift a degree of
responsibility, and therefore, cost, to the industry to act
as watchdogs (MOH 1995).
DTCA came under fire once again in 200o by minister of
health, Anette King, influenced by Pharmac stating that
DTC advertising was increasing the countries drug bill
because of self regulation. This was overturned by the
MOH arguing that banning DTC would be a a violation of
the New Zealand bill of rights act of 1990.
35. New Zealand: DTCA Review
In 2006 Annette King the health minister of New
Zealands Ministry of Health said that on the advice of
various consumer/physician groups she was going to ban
DTCA.
One reason being Professor Toops report: stating that
drug advertisements can endanger rather than
empower consumers by minimizing risk information and
maximizing benefits and could contribute to increased
or inappropriate drug consumption.
The New Zealand cabinet overturned her decision.
36. New Zealand: DTCA in 2009
A comparison between the United States and New
Zealand showed that despite differences in the process of
regulation and the conditions and mechanisms through
which DTC advertising came to be legal in the two
countries, the resulting character and effects of the
advertising were remarkably similar.
Advertisements in both contexts turned out to be
misleading, unbalanced with regard to risks and benefits,
make appeals to emotions, and focus on lifestyle
problems over serious conditions.
37. DTCA in India
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (= U.S. FDA)
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization
(= U.S. CDER)
Laying down standards of drugs, cosmetics,
diagnostics and devices
Laying down regulatory measures, amendments to
Acts and Rules
To regulate market authorization of new drugs
38. DTCA in India
D&C Act of 1940
Schedule H: List of drugs which are to be sold by
retail against the prescription of Registered
Medical Practitioner and which shall be labeled
with words Schedule H Drug - Warning: to be sold
by retail on the prescription of a Registered
Medical Practitioner only.
39. DTCA in India
The Drugs and Magic Remedies
(Objectionable Advertisement)
Act, 1954
Control advertisements
regarding drugs
Prohibits advertising of
remedies alleged to possess
magic qualities
Prohibits advertising of Rx
drugs defined as Schedule H
and Schedule X Drugs
40. DTCA in India
Definition of a drug in India:
A medicine with active ingredients for internal or
external use.
Any molecules or substances used for diagnosis,
cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease.
Others, like food, that intended to affect the human
body or animals in any way.
Any substances that aimed to be used as a
component for medicine.
41. DTCA in India
Definition of a magic remedy in
India:
Includes talisman and any other
charms that possess powers intended
to be used for diagnosis, cure,
mitigation, treatment or prevention of
any disease in human beings or
animals.
42. India: Drugs and Magic Remedy Act
The Act prohibits the advertising of following:
the procurement of miscarriage in women or prevention of
conception in women
the maintenance or improvement of the capacity of the human
being for sexual pleasure
the correction of menstrual disorders in women
the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any
venereal disease
to directly or indirectly give a false impression regarding the
true character of a drug or make false claim for it or to convey
any false or misleading information in any material particular
about it
43. India: Drugs and Magic Remedy Act
This Act doesnt prohibit the following ways of advertising:
any signboard or notice displayed by a registered medical
practitioner including the treatment for any of the disease
any treaties or book dealing with any of the matters from
a bonafide scientific standpoint
any advertisement related to any drug sent confidentially
to any registered medical practitioners or to chemists for
distribution among registered medical practitioners or to a
hospital or laboratory
Government advertisements
44. DTCA in India
There is no law that directly says not to advertise drugs
that are not Schedule X or H (OTC Drugs)
OTC drugs seen on TV ads in India:
Digestives, Antacids, Antiflatulents, Cold rubs and
analgesic balms/creams, Vitamins/tonics/health
supplements, Medicated skin treatment,
Analgesic/cold tablets, Antiseptic creams/liquids,
Glucose powders
45. India: DTCA in 2009
Under new rules, medical practitioners in India cannot
accept any gifts or favors from drug companies.
The new rule went into effect on December 10 th 2009.
It also bars doctors and their associates from endorsing
healthcare products or accepting research grants from
the industry without official clearance from authorities.
A medical practitioner may participate in research
projects funded by pharmaceutical and allied healthcare
industries if the project is proper and ethical.
46. India: DTCA in 2009
Pharmaceutical
companies are allowed
to publish in medical
journals and send drug
reps to offices and
hospitals.
47. Future of DTCA
FDA:
Increase the likelihood of effective self-regulation
through strong, well-funded, and aggressive oversight.
Should take the lead in providing accurate, unbiased
information to consumers
48. Future of DTCA
Industry :
Be honest and accurate with customers.
Price comparisons, detailed explanations of benefits and
risks, and discussions of costs are encouraged
Drug industry should realize responsible self regulation and
self-policing
Promotions provide just as much attention to side effects
as they do to treatment effects
Advertisements be less drug-centric and more
disease/medical conditioncentric
49. Future of DTCA
Medical community:
Respond vigorously to DTC advertising
The public health community needs to create mechanisms
for providing consumers with objective, independent
information about available drug therapies
Medical community needs to develop a systematic,
ongoing media literacy campaign to inform consumers of
the promotional nature of DTC advertising
50. What Do You Think About the
Future of DTCA?
Will DTC spending increase or decrease in the next
decade?
Should all or some forms of DTCA be banned in the U.S.?
Should there be a moratorium on DTCA? Should it be
mandatory or voluntary?
Should the business-tax deduction for DTC spending be
taken away by legislation?
Is there adequate risk information presented in DTCA?
Should there be more? Less?
Should there be more explicit guidelines with DTCA on
the internet?
53. Sources
Peter R Mansfield, Barbara Mintzes, Dee Richards and Les Toop Direct to
consumer advertising. Off of Bmj.com
http://www.commercialalert.org/news/archive/2005/09/new-zealand-to-ban-dt
http://www.kff.org/rxdrugs/6084-index.cfm
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nz.html#top
www.globalbusinessinsights.com/content/rbhc0031m.pdf
Sandra, Coney: Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription
Pharmaceuticals: A Consumer Perspective from New Zealand
OECD Health Policy Studies: Pharmaceutical Pricing Policies in a Global
Market. OECD 2008.
#3: Introduction - overview What is it? Goals of DTC Types of DTC Pros/Cons DTCs role in the drug spending/prescribing Laws with DTC in U.S. DTC in other countries NEW ZEALAND DTC in other countries - INDIA Future of DTC Use examples: commercials, magazines, online websites Lipitor yaz the recall one garadisil websites with ads
#4: The promotion of prescription drugs through newspaper, magazine, television and internet marketing. Provided by drug companies, these ads are aimed at a general audience, and not at health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. The ads are broadcast on TV and radio, and published in magazines and newspapers. They also appear online.
#5: Getting accurate information about disease and treatment options to patients & consumers. To make doctors and patients better partners by encouraging patients to visit their doctors and ask important questions pertaining to their health.
#8: The FDA describes three types of DTC advertisements: Product Claim Advertisements Help-Seeking Advertisements Reminder Advertisements
#9: Product Claim Advertisements: The most common of the three, these typically include both the brand name and the condition the drug treats. They also describe the risks and benefits associated with taking the medication. " Targets a specific prescription drug and must contain safety and efficacy information. Regulations require that these advertisements comply with adequate provision and fair-balance principles **Fair-balance rule: DTC advertisements must provide a fair balance between the benefits and risks of a drug.
#10: Help-Seeking Advertisements: Also known as disease-awareness communications, these mention the disease or health condition but not the name of the drug that treats it. The purpose of this type of advertisement is to create an awareness of symptoms or conditions among consumers. (GAO, 2002) These advertisements are not required to provide risk information and are not regulated by the FDA. Encourages consumers with a particular set of symptoms to seek consultation with their physician and discuss treatment options. Does not mention a particular product. Forbidden if a product is the only available treatment for a specific condition, symptom, or disease.
#11: Reminder Advertisements: This type of advertisement, which is exempt from risk disclosure requirements, names the drug and dosage form or cost information. It does not mention the condition it treats or make claims or representations about the product. Contains the name of the drug and very limited information; excludes all other claims about the product. Reinforces name and brand loyalty.
#12: This is a page from Twitter . Each of the <140-character postings in the middle column is called a Tweet, purportedlywritten by American racecar driver Charlie Kimball , who partners with Novo Nordisk to prove his high performance career is possible with diabetes. This is what drug companies like Novo Nordisk call a branded Tweet and a Direct to Consumer (DTC) ad. All that very fine barely readableprint on the left sidebar is about Novo Nordisks long-acting insulin called Levemir . Thebranded Tweet does not mention any benefits of Levemir because its a reminder ad, which is not required to include side effect informationif it does not mention any benefits. Instead, this reminder ad for Levemir lets Charlie Kimballact asthe schill for Novo Nordisk.
#17: If patients are given faulty or misleading information, subsequently request a prescription, and are not denied the prescription by their physician (for a host of possible reasons), then it's possible that people will be getting the drug who don't need it, and the consequences of that run the gamut from wasteful (of resources) to contraindicated and life-threatening. That's a bad thing, obviously.
#26: the pharmaceutical companies promise to hold off on consumer advertising of a new medicine until they spend an "appropriate" amount of time educating health care professionals about the medicine.
#29: Omission of Risk Information - The FDA pointed out that by omitting risks associated with drugs promoted in the adverts, the adverts suggest that the named brands are safer than has been demonstrated Minimization of Risk Information Specifically, the advert text claimed that the drug has Low Incidence of Side Effects . The FDA pointed out that the use of this claim, coupled with total omission of risk information, severely minimizes the risks of [the advertised drug] . Inadequate communication of indication DA pointed out to one pharmaceutical company that their advert for a drug misleadingly broadens the indication of [the advertised drug] by implying that any patient with cancer who requires treatment for breakthrough pain is a candidate for [the drug's] therapy, when this is not the case. Overstatement of Efficacy The FDA warned By omitting this information, the link suggests that the drug can be used indefinitely, when this is not the case. Failure to use established brand names - All fourteen of the FDAs letters warned of failure to use the full established names of the drug being promoted.