New Prescription Drug Advertising Reforms & How They Will Impact Patients | Simplefill
Direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertisements have been a focus of the FDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for some time. There have been concerns about the misleading way that pharmaceutical companies promote certain medications. New prescription drug advertising reforms strive to change all of this.
What Is the FDA’s Role in Regulating Drug Advertising?
The FDA has long kept an eye on the way pharmaceutical companies place almost disproportionate emphasis on the benefits of a medication while sidelining the potential risks it carries. Sometimes, these risks are not just minimized but obscured by relegating them to the fine print in ads.
This violates the idea of “fair balance” that advertising standards require. Without this balance, patients can’t make informed decisions on their own care.
Until now, the FDA has relied on complaints from the public. The agency has been more reactive than proactive, something it’s keen to change. It’s doing this by pursuing comprehensive enforcement throughout all media platforms.
How Is the FDA Enforcing New Drug Advertising Rules?
One way it’s accomplishing this is by sending cease-and-desist letters as well as warnings to companies that are in violation of existing regulations.
Additionally, the FDA is planning to address the adequate provision loophole, which allowed pharmaceutical companies to state on the ad that there were major risks associated with the medication and then direct the public to external sources for more information.
In the future, the FDA strives to push for key safety disclosures to be placed right on the ad in easy-to-spot locations. This would go back to what the regulations were before 1997.
How Is the FDA Monitoring Online and Social Media Drug Ads?
The FDA is using artificial intelligence to zero in on problematic online activity. It will begin monitoring influencer partnerships, algorithm-driven ads, telehealth promotions, and sponsored content. With these tools, they can curb the misleading information that people receive on a daily basis from all social media platforms.
How Will Drug Advertising Reforms Impact Patients?
The reforms are poised to help patients better understand the medications they take. They will have more factual information and be better able to make decisions regarding their own care.
It could also lead to a reduction of inappropriate prescribing. Often, patients opt for medications they’ve seen in ads instead of choosing more affordable and perhaps even more helpful ones. By reducing the availability of these ads, patients can be better directed by their medical providers.
This is particularly important for people with long-term conditions like HIV/AIDs, diabetes, or COPD.
Could Drug Advertising Reforms Lower Medication Costs?
The right strategies can help better manage these illnesses and improve overall results, but that can only occur if patients are not bombarded with misleading information that could pressure their healthcare providers to prescribe popular but perhaps not as effective medications.
The reforms could also mean pharmaceutical companies spend less on heavily advertised medications. That, on its own, could help bring costs down. If the companies have fewer expenses themselves, it could mean more reasonable rates for everyone.
Additionally, generic medications could start becoming more popular. Patients often assume that the generic version of a drug is somehow less safe or less effective. Without having flashy advertisements constantly urging them to rely on brand prescriptions, there could be a reduction of these misconceptions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about drug advertising reforms? Here are some answers.
Will the FDA Target Online Pharmacy Ads?
Yes, some of the most obvious misleading advertisements come from online pharmacy ads. These pharmacies post only the various benefits of the medication without addressing any side effects or risks.
Can the FDA Ban Drug Advertising?
No. Drug advertising is protected by the First Amendment. Misleading or downright deceptive advertising is not protected, however, which would allow the FDA to place some guardrails to prevent this type of conduct.
Will My Medication Costs Go Down Quickly?
It is not likely that medication costs will drop rapidly, even if the FDA takes these steps. It could take months or years before the changes in advertising strategies impact prices.
President Trump has taken other actions, as well, including passing the Most-Favored-Nation Act and pursuing online drug marketplaces. These options are promising, but it’s too early yet to tell if they will impact what you pay.