Concerned about the veracity of some pharmaceutical marketing, the Food and Drug Administration plans to study the extent to which doctors and consumers can detect deceptive ads.
In explaining its rationale, the agency reiterated ongoing worries that misleading advertising can generate unnecessary prescribing, but also indicated interest in finding new ways to identify troubling ads, since resources are tight, according to this notice.
Indeed, the move comes as enforcement letters issued to drug makers for promotional violations is at a record low. Just three were sent to companies so far this year, down from 11 last year, and this continues a downward trend that began in 2010, when the FDA issued 52 such letters.
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