title: Consumers' preferences for the communication of risk information in drug advertising.
abstract: Research was conducted to identify consumers' preferences regarding the form, content, and placement of drug side-effect information in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. Specific questions explored preferences for the presence or absence of numeric information, the use of placebo and discontinuation groups as a context for understanding drug risk, the sequence in which side effects are presented, and the placement of side-effect statements on DTC Web sites. Consumers prefer detailed, readily accessible risk information--preferences that are a major departure from current advertiser practices and from what current and proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require.
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA. jdavis@mail.sdsu.edu
authors.forename: Joel J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D003142:Communication; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000379:methods*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States