TV drug advertising
Section: LEARNING TO TEACH
Authors
Elena Rojas Barra, Lourdes León Gil, Diego Martínez Iglesias, Sylvia Díaz Martín
Position
Alumnos de 3º de Enfermería de la Universidad Europea de Madrid.
Contact email: elenarojas@ya.com
Abstract
Introduction: law 2730/1981 on the characteristics and registry of Self-Medication Drugs (OTC products regulation & advertising) establishes drug advertising criteria (active ingredients). TV ads should include a prompt image at the end of the ad indicating “Read the instructions on the label and consult your pharmacist”.
Material and methods: a randomised prospective study of drugs that are advertised at any Spanish TV channel tuned in at the Madrid Autonomous Community (TVE 1, TVE 2, Antena 3, Tele5, Telemadrid, la Sexta and Cuatro) in a 2 month period of time (between january and february 2009). A data sheet was filled in for each of the four drugs announced that included the following variables: trade name, therapeutic indication, active ingredients and route of administration. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out.
Results: 27 ads were analysed. Most of them, 12 to be specific (44,44%) advertised symptomatic treatment for respiratory pathology, either for relief of one single symptom: coughing (3), nasal congestion (2), mucolitics (1) or odynophagia (2); or for multiple symptoms such as flu preparations (4). Second in line on TV advertising were drugs to treat stomach conditions: laxatives (3) or to treat dyspepsia (1).
Conclusions: drugs advertised on TV may make sense in some symptoms such as odynophagia or congestion but not in others such as for coughing and/or constipation that should be better assessed by the nurse and/or physician.
Keywords:
drugs; advertisingself-medication
Versión en Español
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