Prescription drugs advertisements discourage trust in physicians’ knowledge
The advertisement of prescription drugs encourages people to self-diagnose and to discourages patients from looking at physicians as a source of medical information.
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The Argument
In a time where anyone can easily look up any symptom from a rash to a sniffle and attempt to self-diagnose[1], it is incredibly harmful to the medical profession to have patients attempt to self-diagnose n response to medication advertisements. While the FDA does regular these advertisements, some medications have slipped through the cracks with false advertising.[2] This can lead to an incredible amount of misinformation regarding the health and well-being of patients and what treatments may be needed for certain health conditions; these decisions should be made between a patient and their healthcare professional, not from a cutesy commercial. Advertisements of prescription drugs and non-FDA approved drugs are commonly seen on social media and other media platforms, promoted by celebrities and influencers, which can lead to misinformation and the promotion of potentially harmful products.[3] Patients exposed to advertisements for harmful products may believe the advertisements more than they believe physicians, causing deep distrust in medical professionals.
Counter arguments
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising is strictly regulated by the FDA. There is no federal law against DTC advertising, and prescription drug advertisements offer a way to inform consumers of the variety of treatments available to them beyond what their healthcare provider might suggest. Physicians are not infallible, and the more informed a consumer is, the better they are able to advocate for themselves and their health. [4]
Proponents
Premises
Rejecting the premises
References
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/debunking-myths-the-mind/201005/the-dangers-self-diagnosis
- https://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/jennifer-gershman-pharmd-cph/2015/09/should-direct-to-consumer-drug-advertising-be-allowed
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/inside-the-murky-world-of-big-pharmas-celebrity-partnerships-where-stars-like-serena-williams-and-khloe-kardashian-get-paid-to-promote-prescription-drugs/ar-BB19bdb5
- https://prescriptiondrugs.procon.org/should-prescription-drugs-be-advertised-directly-to-consumers-pro-con-quotes/