Is Direct to Consumer Prescription Drug Advertising in Patients Best Interest?
In recent decades there has been a development of what has been called “consumerism”–that is, a greater concern of the public who spend their money for goods and services to be sure that their interests are being served and, in turn, a response by the providers to pay more attention to the publics demands. In the medical profession, this consumerism has lead to changes in ethical philosophy and, for example, causing physicians to be less paternalistic in their dealings with patients and have more concern for patient autonomy. Recently, in the pharmaceutical industry, with the relaxation of advertising standards, consumerism has lead to what has been called “direct to consumer advertising” of prescription drugs. This advertising involves magazine and TV ads suggesting the use of various prescription drugs for medical conditions the viewer might experience and also suggesting that the viewer ask their physician if the medication would be appropriate for them. The viewpoints about the us
