Open AccessPrescription Drug Promotion from 2001-2014: Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Author(s) -
Helen W. Sullivan,
Kathryn J. Aikin,
Eunice Chung-Davies,
Michael Wade
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0155035
Subject(s) - promotion (chess) , medical prescription , food and drug administration , drug , the internet , medicine , prescription drug , health promotion , advertising , public health , pharmacology , business , political science , world wide web , computer science , nursing , politics , law
The volume of prescription drug promotion over time is often measured by assessing changes in ad spending. However, this method obscures the fact that some types of advertising are more expensive than others. Another way to measure the changes in prescription drug promotion over time is to assess the number of promotional pieces submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Form FDA 2253 collects information such as the date submitted and the type of material submitted. We analyzed data from Forms FDA 2253 received from 2001–2014. We examined the frequency of submissions by audience (consumer and healthcare professional) and type of promotional material. There was a noted increase in prescription drug promotion submissions across all media in the early 2000s. Although non-Internet promotion submissions have since plateaued, Internet promotion continued to increase. These results can help public health advocates and regulators focus attention and resources.