Evaluating Rx & OTC DTC TV Ads

Few Are Outright False But Many May Be Misleading

A conversation with Adrienne E. Faerber, PhD, and  David H. Kreling, PhD, about the results of their recently published study on the content analysis of claims made in TV direct-to-consumer (DTC) OTC and Rx drug ads.

Questions/Topics to be Discussed

• Why did you do this study?
• Explain the methodology. How did you determine which claims were "objectively true," "potentially false," and outright "false?"
• Please review the results.
• What impact do you think your study will have on consumers? on pharmaceutical marketers?
• The FDA is supposed to be reviewing claims made in Rx ads. Do you think the agency is not doing a good enough job? Do your observations suggest that to be the case?