A Study of the Web as DTC Drug Marketing Agent

Abstract

The growth of direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing of pharmaceuticals in the USA has spawned the generation of web sites for consumer information and discussion, related to specific medical conditions and the efficacy of specific drugs. In such an environment consumers often find and act upon health information of variable quality, with little input from health professionals. Some health policy analysts argue that the emergence of such consumer “drug networks" will lead to unnecessary expenditure of money on prescription drugs, as consumers see ads and then demand that their providers prescribe that drug. Others say that an intelligent consumer will be able to research the information and narrow down a drug that will likely work for them personally, rather than having the provider “experiment” with different medications. There exist few cross-disciplinary evaluative frameworks for assessing such health information, especially within commercial search engines. This study serves as an exploratory technology assessment that examines the prevalence of web-based DTC for a popular prescription drug and the impact on healthcare consumers.

Appendix

Summary of web sites examined

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01224.html

http://www.druginfonet.com/index.php?pageID=faq/faqlipit.htm

http://www.pfizer.com/download/uspi_lipitor.pdf

http://www.naturalessentials.com/lipitor.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a600045.html

http://www.lipitor.discountmedsrx.net/

http://www.lipitor.blueoceanmeds.com/

http://www.paulingtherapy.com/offers.html

http://www.lipitor.mystorerx.com/

http://www.lipitor-online.com/

http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/generic-drugs-lipitor.html

http://www.xlpharmacy.com/products.php?sn=11&kbid=1143

http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/generic-drugs-lipitor-side-effects.html

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/MEDICATIONS/CMI/pfclipit.pdf

http://www.mygeneric.com/ProductInfo.aspx?Product=LIPITOR

http://www.pubpat.org/Lipitor_156_Reexam_Granted.htm

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01227.html

http://www.lipitor-generic.com/

http://www.realpharma.com/generic/lipitor_prices.htm

http://www.pubpat.org/Lipitor_156_Reexam_Granted.htm

http://www.absoluteauthority.com/on/lipitor.htm

http://247-pharmacy.com/Lipitor.htm

http://www.themoontemple.com/buy/lipitor.html

http://www.accessmednet.com/prescription-drug-information/lipitor-atorvastatin.html

http://tramadolshop.com/lipitor.html

http://www.all-pills.com/drugs/l/lipitor/Lipitor.htm

http://www.premiermexicanpharmacies.com/lipitor_mexican_pharmacies/lipitor.asp

http://www.mexican-rx-online.com/Lipitor.htm

http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/2/427

http://www.lakeforestfunds.com/atorvastatin/atorvastatin.php

http://www.usadrug.com/IMCAccess/ConsLookups/InteractionsByDrug/Atorvastatin.shtml

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/learning/healthguide/healthguide_content.jhtml?Category=Drug&title=Atorvastatin&relativePath=%2Fcontent%2Fhealthnotes%2FDrug%2FAtorvastatin.htm

http://www.usadrug.com/IMCAccess/ConsDrugs/Atorvastatincd.shtml

http://www.rxbyfax.com/lipitor.htm

http://www.health-net.info/atorvastatin.html

http://www.americandrugsource.com/med_search.asp?search=Lipitor+(atorvastatin)

http://www.pfizer.com/download/uspi_caduet.pdf

http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/a/a0505115.html

https://data.gcrc.ufl.edu/index-598.html

http://www.informedpharmacotherapy.com/Issue15/EBP/Pearson%20G%20%20EBP%202004%2015.htm

http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2002/20702S33lbl.pdf

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/107/19/2409

http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/106/23/2955

http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/48/6/877

http://www.southlandpharmacies.biz/medicines/atorvastatin.htm

http://qjmed.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/full/92/7/387

http://www.discountsoma.net/Atorvastatin.htm