A majority of the American public wants regulators to review and approve those awkward drug ads you see on TV.
A poll released Wednesday from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 89 percent of those surveyed want the Food and Drug Administration to review drug ads before they air. Currently the agency does not do that.
The poll also found that a slim majority (57 percent) believes drugmakers spend too much money on advertising to patients. Another 62 percent say spending on advertising to doctors is also too high.
The same poll found that high prescription drug prices remain a top priority for Americans. Critics have charged that drug companies spend too much money on marketing and should cut back.
Federal law prohibits the FDA from reviewing an ad before it hits the airwaves. It calls on consumers to submit ads they think are misleading and companies to alert the agency of ads after they have aired.
“Many drug companies voluntarily seek advice from us before they release TV ads,” the agency said on its website. “However, if we believe that an ad violates the law, we send a letter to the drug company asking that the ads be stopped right away.”
The agency does send out warnings to companies for ads that peddle misleading or false claims. A common problem is ads don’t show enough risk information.
The FDA also does not oversee ads for over-the-counter drugs, just prescription medications. The Federal Trade Commission handles over-the-counter drug ads.
The poll of 1,203 adults was taken earlier this month.
