This report will prove that the advertising of

Prescription drugs and vaccines are important.

1. Prescription drug ads inform patients about diseases/medical conditions and
possible treatments. 44% of patients responding to a 2007 survey published in Clinical
Orthopaedics and Related Research said DTC prescription drug ads helped educate them about
drugs, medical conditions, and treatments. [44] An Apr. 2013 FDA survey found that 48% of
doctors agree that DTC ads "inform, educate, and empower" patients. [45] The FDA requires that
benefits and risks of drugs be included in ads to inform patients
2. Prescription drug ads encourage people to seek medical advice from health
professionals. 64% of physicians surveyed in Apr. 2013 agreed that DTC ads encourage
patients to contact a health professional. [42] A 2010 Prevention Magazine survey reported that 29
million patients talked to their doctors about a medical condition after seeing DTC prescription
drug ads and most discussed behavioral and lifestyle changes; over half of those patients
received non-prescription or generic drugs rather than the brand-name prescription drug seen in
the ad, meaning that talking to the doctor was the real benefit. [32] Patients with lower incomes
and education levels who are less likely to seek medical care in general were more likely to see a
doctor after seeing DTC prescription drug ads. [44] A 2005 Journal of Family Practice article found
that 83% of prescription drug print ads focused on patient-physician communication and 76%
promoted dialogue with health care professionals. [40] According to a 2004 FDA survey, 77% of
people said DTC ads increased awareness of new drugs and 58% thought the ads gave enough
information to help them decide whether to speak to a doctor. [43] 73% of doctors thought patients
asked thoughtful questions because of DTC ads and about 33% of patients thought of a question
to ask their doctors as a result of a DTC drug ad
3. DTC prescription drug ads help remove the stigma associated with certain
diseases and medical conditions. According to a 2013 CMI/Compass survey, 52% of
physicians agree that DTC ads help remove stigma associated with health conditions. [45] The
removal of stigma makes it easier for patients to acknowledge their health issues and feel
comfortable discussing their health problems with physicians and others. [31] The advertisements
for Viagra, for example, have made male sexual

Counterclaim
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Prescription drug use is on the rise in North America as well as dependency

4. Diseases and medical conditions are more likely to be treated when consumers
see DTC prescription drug ads. According to a 2004 FDA survey, 88% of the physicians who
had patients ask about drugs seen in DTC ads reported that the patients had the conditions the
drugs treat and were thus able to get treatment. [43] For example, Procrit is a drug used to

counteract anemia and can be used to help chemotherapy patients with fatigue. Prior to an ad
campaign for the drug, it was rarely prescribed because chemotherapy patients were not
reporting fatigue caused by the chemotherapy to their doctors. After seeing the ad, however,
patients reported fatigue and could be appropriately diagnosed. [46] In 2007 the FDA approved a
drug for fibromyalgia, a condition that previously had no drug treatment, so patients with the
condition were made aware of a possible treatment through DTC prescription drug ads and could
speak to their doctors in order to receive treatment.
dysfunction and treatment commonplace. [30] Ads for drugs treating mental illnesses like depression has
contributed to de-stigmatizing those conditions, which have helped patients get treatment.

Conclusion
Consumers who are exposed to Prescription Drug advertising are informed about
disease, medical conditions and possible treatment, and are more likely to be
treated. Prescription advertising encourages individuals to seek expert advice
from medical professionals and helps reduce the social stigma surrounding some
illness