The United States Food and Drug Administration and Prescription Drug Promotion

Abstract

The impact of prescription drug promotion on health-care professionals (HCPs) is significant. Pharmaceutical industry spending on promotion to HCPs greatly outpaces spending on direct-to-consumer promotion. According to Syneos Health™ PromotionalAnswers, in 2017, the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $24 billion on drug promotion, with more than $18.5 billion allotted for marketing to HCPs. Although prescription drug promotion can provide valuable information about drug therapies, it is essential that it be truthful, balanced, and not misleading, because HCPs may consider this information when making treatment decisions for their patients.