FDA mulls change to drug ad rules

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a statement requesting input on a possible change to the rules governing statements about drug safety in pharmaceuticals advertising.

Recently inaugurated FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said: “In addition to providing consumers with the benefits of the potential treatment, today’s direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements must also present the risks."

"But if the risks aren’t provided in a way that consumers understand, they may not be able to appropriately weigh the benefits and risks.”