Consumer advertising of psychiatric medications biases the public against nonpharmacological treatment

Ethical Hum Psychol Psychiatry. 2005 Fall-Winter;7(3):175-9.

Abstract

In the United States, antidepressant medications are heavily promoted through direct-to-consumer advertising, which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Advertisements for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors frequently contain information inconsistent with the scientific evidence on the treatment of depression with antidepressants. The information presented serves to promote the use of antidepressants by biasing the public against nonpharmacological treatment of depression. While the FDA enforces regulations requiring fair and balanced presentation when comparing one medication to another, there appears to be no action taken against pharmaceutical companies that distort scientific evidence in order to disparage nonmedical approaches to depression.

MeSH terms

  • Advertising* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Advertising* / methods
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Government Regulation
  • Humans
  • Psychotherapy*
  • Risk Assessment
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents