Direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription medications over the Internet.
This study sought data on the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements and both intentions and frequency to seek more information about the drug being advertised. Data were collected from 498 college students regarding intention to seek and how frequently they obtained more information about prescription medications. For intentions, grocery or pharmacy and radio advertisements were associated with lesser intentions. For frequency, Internet advertisements were associated, while newspaper and spam e-mail advertisements were not. Types of sources associated with seeking additional information were doctor, Internet, and 1-800 information numbers. A significant interaction existed for seeing Internet advertisements for drugs and then seeking additional information from a doctor and not from the Internet. In conclusion, Internet advertising is associated with seeking additional information from a reliable source such as a doctor.
Fogel
Joshua
J
Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Department of Economics, Brooklyn, New York 11210, USA. joshua.fogel@gmail.com
Novick
Daniel
D
D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods; D001294:Attitude to Health; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D033182:Intention; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult
D055553:Prescription Drugs