title: Impact of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on patient health-related behaviors and issues.
abstract: The pharmaceutical industry spends billions of dollars annually on direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA). Patient perspectives on the impact of televised DTCA on health-related behaviors and issues were assessed by means of a 68-question survey. 58.6% of respondents believed that DTCA allowed consumers to have a more active role in managing their health. However, 27.6% felt DTCA caused confusion, and an alarming 17.8% of respondents stopped taking their medication because of concerns about serious side effects mentioned in DTCA. Overall, participants believed DTCA plays a useful role in health self-management; however, a considerable percentage thought that the cost outweighs the benefits.
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA. polen@nova.edu
authors.forename: Hyla H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Polen
authors.forename: Nile M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Khanfar
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Clauson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D003256:Community Participation; D004345:Drug Industry; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult