Arguments Against DTCA

Research and development results in safe prescription drugs that should be freely advertised in Australia. Against.

Direct to consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicine is only available in New Zealand and the United States. The only two countries that currently allow promotion of restricted medicine. DTCA is defined by the advertisements made by a pharmaceutical company to encourage prescription products directly to patients. Arguments against DTCA include; misinformation for patients, weakened relationship between patient and health care provider and increased health care costs. DTCA of drugs has been legal in the United States since 1985 (WHO 2009) however, in November 2015, the American Medical Association (AMA) called for a

However if patients with inappropriate conditions gain access to DTCA prescription drugs, it could cause an over-diagnosis which may worsen the overall health of the patient and cause strains to the health care system. Health care system cost and regulation departments may become susceptible to these strains. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that there were enormous expenditures in the health care system resulted in and increased drug utilization. In April 2013, 81% of physicians surveyed believed that the DTCPA promotes drug over-utilization, 78% of doctors surveyed agrees that DTC prescription drugs advertisements increased the cost of healthcare and 37% of doctors surveyed said that they often prescribe “brand name drugs” because the patient requested it rather than prescribing equivalent and cheaper generic drugs. Specific brand name drugs may cost 30 – 80% more than generic drugs. In 2005, it was estimated that the United States could have saves $20 billion in prescription drug costs if generic drugs had been replaced for brand name equivalents. If physicians are pressured into commending newer, more expensive, prescription medication as a result of DTCA, the cost of the healthcare system would be significant. DTCPA often promote more expensive “copycat” drugs that may not offer any significant benefits compared to the older and cheaper existing drugs. The impact of DTCA in the Unites States health care is directly reflected through the amount of money spent on drugs. In 2011, a total of $263 billion, which was 9.7% of all national health expenditure was spent on drugs compared to 5.6% in