Dca Advantages And Disadvantages

Although, there are advantages to DTCA, there’s some disadvantages you need to take into consideration such as benefits to the patient, providers, and drug companies. DTCA is often criticized for its potential negative impact on the patient-provider relationship. Providers often find themselves challenged with increased work and frustration when a patient questions their clinical authority based an advertisement.4 Physicians often oppose the idea of DTCA, finding it difficult and time-consuming to convince their patients that a medication is inappropriate for them. Sometimes, rather than argue with patient, the doctor’s will inappropriately prescribe a medication. Patients often watch the DTCA and assume that the advertised medication can improve their health. This can lead to the inquiry with their doctor about a drug they want to be prescribed. However, it is often the case that these medications are not appropriate for their condition. Studies have shown that only 2% to 7% of drug requests made by patients are successful.4 Another study reporteded that such requests were made during about 40% of doctor visits and more than half the time were successful.4 Most DTCA emphasize the drug benefits over risks. …show more content…
DTCAs provoke consumers to request the advertised drug by giving them a false sense of needing the medication. In actuality, DTCA indirectly raises prices by “persuading” consumers to switch from a low-cost generic drug to a high-cost brand name drug, with little to no added benefits.5 DTCA can also increase prices directly due to the large costs associated with marketing. Since DTCA for drugs has increased from $200 million in 1997 to $4 billion in 2011, this money accounts for 37% of total drug promotion expenditures.5 These costs are made up for with an increased number of customers but also with raising the costs of the