Pharmacists’ Role Amid Increased Drug Advertising on Social Media
Luke Turnock, PhD, discusses the role of pharmacists and medication counselors in addressing the challenges of increased direct-to-consumer drug advertising on social media.
With a steady increase in drug advertising on television, streaming platforms, and social media, consumers may feel like their opportunities to stay healthy are greater than ever before. However, with greater recognition of various medication classes among the general public, consumers may not be confiding in the proper health care professionals when they seek advertised prescription drugs.
“Regulatory authority [has] tried to intervene against companies that are saying, ‘Pay and we will give you this prescription medicine,’” said Luke Turnock, PhD. “And unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have stopped it. These adverts are still everywhere; they're still very prevalent.”
Turnock recently sat down with Drug Topics to discuss the sheer rise in direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, specifically on social media. “I think it is a real challenge for pharmacists and healthcare providers and so on, particularly with the prevalence [of drug advertising],” he continued.
As more and more drugs become commonplace throughout the media, it can result in consumers seeking their medications through the wrong avenues or the wrong reasons. With the expertise and accessibility of community pharmacists across the US, they have the ability to step in and combat this issue of increased awareness of certain medications.
READ MORE: The Impact of Increased Drug Advertising on Patients, Consumers
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