Volume : 2, Issue : 9, September - 2013

Evaluation of the Ethical Issues for the Direct to Consumer Advertisement in Arabic Satellite Channels

Ehab Mudher Mikhael

Abstract :

Background: Direct to consumer advertisement (DTCA) is one of the tactics that adopted by pharmaceutical companies for promoting drugs directly to patients and thus increase their sales. DTCA is useful for patient education and should be carefully regulated to avoid misleading patients with inaccurate information. Aim of the study: evaluation the accuracy of information and the ethical issues for DTCA in some Arabic satellite channelsMethods: A direct observational study to 10 different Arabic satellite channels was done from July to August 2013, to find out the type, accuracy and the ethical status for the DTCA depending mainly on WHO and FDA criteria for medicinal drug promotion Results: This study showed that DTCA in Arabic channels was only in the form of product claim advertisement. Dermatological diseases, infertility and sexual dysfunction are the most frequently targeted diseases by DTCA in Arabic satellite channels. There are many ethical problems with DTCA in Arabic satellite channels; most importantly absence of information about the active ingredient of the product, side effects, precautions, cost and the dose, additional ethical problems with DTCA includes claims about guaranteed product effect and safety of product without any medical or pharmaceutical reference.Conclusion: There are many unethical tactics by DTCA in Arabic satellite channels that may mislead patients and negatively affect their health and in turn having bad economic effects on health care budget.