Is the Information “Fair and Balanced” in Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Drug Websites?

Abstract

This study applies the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) “fair-balance disclosure” provision to examine the content of prescription drug websites, specifically focusing on the quantity and quality of risk information. The results show that even though most prescription drug websites provide both risk and benefit information, the two types of information are presented differently. This study suggests directions for regulators to consider in writing a more specific rule to ensure that information on prescription drug websites is balanced.