Direct-to-Consumer Information and Advertising for Prescription Drugs

Regulation prohibits direct-to-consumer information (DTCI) and direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) in Germany as well as in the European Union. Aim: Identification of potential advantages and disadvantages of DTCI/DTCA; identification of high-level evidence on the effects of DTCI/DTCA; development of a regulatory framework for the publication of DTCI/DTCA. Method: Systematic literature review. Results: Theoretically, DTCI/DTCA can be beneficial - but it can be harmful as well. High-level evidence shows that DTCA in the US leads to higher prescription rates and higher revenue for advertised products. There is no high-level evidence for an improvement of the physician-patient relationship or better compliance of patients as a consequence of DTCA. Conclusion: While DTCA is not an option, DTCI might be beneficial for patients if a rather comprehensive regulatory framework is applied.