Exposure to direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising and medication nonadherence among patients with serious mental illness

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the association of exposure to direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) with medication nonadherence among individuals with serious mental disorders. Methods: Results of an anonymous survey administered at an inner-city mental health clinic were examined by using logistic regression. Nonadherence was defined as not taking prescribed medications for at least two out of seven days. Results: Of 246 respondents, 48% reported DTCA exposure and 43% reported nonadherence. Sixty-one percent of those exposed to DTCA reported nonadherence, compared with 26% of those not exposed (adjusted odds ratio=4.96, 95% confidence interval=2.64-9.33, p,.001). Among those exposed to advertisements and reporting nonadherence, 59% reported changing medication-taking behaviors or stopping prescribed medications because of side effect information in advertisements. Only a minority communicated with providers before becoming nonadherent. Conclusions: This study found an association between selfreport of DTCA exposure and self-reported nonadherence. These results support further research on DTCA as a possible risk factor for nonadherence.