PURPOSE: Misperceptions of how the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates prescription drugs may affect how consumers assess the safety and efficacy of prescription drugs. The study objective was to survey the public on their knowledge of FDA oversight regarding prescription drug approval and advertising. METHODS: In 2017, we conducted a nationally representative mail-push-to-web survey with 1,744 US adults. RESULTS: Although most respondents (86%) knew that FDA approves prescription drugs, we found misperceptions about what that approval means. In addition, few respondents understood FDA oversight of prescription drug advertising, with approximately half of respondents reporting that they did not know whether FDA approved these ads or components of the ads, and several mis-reporting that FDA approves these ads (31%) or components of the ads (22%-41%). CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced collaboration and communication with the public by key stakeholders in this space could increase public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of FDA.
PURPOSE: Misperceptions of how the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates prescription drugs may affect how consumers assess the safety and efficacy of prescription drugs. The study objective was to survey the public on their knowledge of FDA oversight regarding prescription drug approval and advertising. METHODS: In 2017, we conducted a nationally representative mail-push-to-web survey with 1,744 US adults. RESULTS: Although most respondents (86%) knew that FDA approves prescription drugs, we found misperceptions about what that approval means. In addition, few respondents understood FDA oversight of prescription drug advertising, with approximately half of respondents reporting that they did not know whether FDA approved these ads or components of the ads, and several mis-reporting that FDA approves these ads (31%) or components of the ads (22%-41%). CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced collaboration and communication with the public by key stakeholders in this space could increase public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of FDA.
Authors: Dongyi Du; John Goldsmith; Kathryn J Aikin; William E Encinosa; Clark Nardinelli Journal: Health Aff (Millwood) Date: 2012-05 Impact factor: 6.301
Authors: Bethany Tennant; Michael Stellefson; Virginia Dodd; Beth Chaney; Don Chaney; Samantha Paige; Julia Alber Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-03-17 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Amira Osman; Sarah D Kowitt; Paschal Sheeran; Kristen L Jarman; Leah M Ranney; Adam O Goldstein Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-04-14 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Linda Härmark; Gerda Weits; Rietje Meijer; Federica Santoro; G Niklas Norén; Florence van Hunsel Journal: Drug Saf Date: 2020-08 Impact factor: 5.606