David Menkes, Barbara Mintzes, Joel Lexchin: Advertising of prescription drugs

Most high-income countries ban direct advertising of prescription drugs – why does NZ still allow it?

New Zealand and the United States are the only high-income countries to allow unrestricted direct-to-consumer advertising of branded medicines, including the name of the drug and the condition for which it is prescribed.

Our recent analysis explores why most other countries outlaw this controversial practice. We review evidence that direct advertising can lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments, causing potential harm and higher health costs.