Pharmacology and Society

Very few countries allow direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. Pharmaceutical

companies are able to advertise products on television, radio, streamed subscription services,

etc. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided regulation to this communication in

the United States. However, some believe that the regulations are not strict enough and/or not

being followed. Some have a concern that these advertisements may not benefit consumers.

They may also increase costs of medications. Nurse practitioners are often asked to give

professional opinions regarding health care issues, including policies/laws that are being

discussed.

For this discussion paper, please address the following questions:

What are the FDA regulations regarding direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising? (20

points)

How prevalent is the direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising in the United States? What

are the statistical trends? Are there certain consumers who are targeted? Are there certain type

of medications advertisements that are more prevalent than others? Is there evidence that the

pharmaceutical companies are violating the FDA regulations? (20 points)

What are the benefits of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising? (15 points)

What are the risks and/or costs of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising? (15 points)

What would be your professional recommendation regarding the policies and regulation of

direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising? Would you recommend it be eliminated in the

United States? Would you recommend more regulation? Would you recommend less

regulation? Do you feel the level of regulation is satisfactory, and should stay the same? Explain

your recommendations thoroughly with evidence to support your opinions. (20 points)

Be sure to use APA format for citations and references. Be careful to use reputable resources…

your evidence is only as good as the original source of the evidence. For this type of discussion

paper, many of the answers are not black/white or right/wrong. You will be evaluated on how

your present your opinion and what evidence you use to support your beliefs. Your goal is to not

only provide accurate information, but persuade the readers to your opinion about the

information presented. Also be sure to cite ALL information that is not common knowledge

or your own ideas! Lack of citation is a form of plagiarism, so be sure that your readers are

able to recognize where information is from that is discussed in your paper. NO points will be

earned if information is not cited!! Points will be earned for writing organization and clarity.

Number of pages is limited to 10 pages for this assignment, so be succinct in your

answers to the questions! The title page and reference list are NOT counted as part of the 10

pages. Instructor will not read/grade information that is not included on first 10 pages. (10

points)