E-DRUG: direct-to-consumer ads

Re: direct-to-consumer ads
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Australia does not allow direct to consumer ads for prescription only
medications. However, 'news' and 'current affairs' TV programs and
'articles' in popular magazines expose drugs. When new and exciting claims
are made patient demand can be created and they might ask their doctors to
prescribe the new drugs. Alternatively, if the news item is a scare story,
patients might approach their doctor to be taken off the medication.

Beverley Snell
International Health Unit
Macfarlane Burnet Centre
Box 254, Fairfield 3078 Australia
Email: bev@mbcmr.unimelb.edu.au

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