The Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising on Public Knowledge of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Study on Over-the-Counter Proton Pump Inhibitors

Overview

Journal Patient Prefer Adherence

Date 2020 Apr 8

PMID 32256054

Citations 3

Authors

Maram AlShammari

Ghadah Assiri

Mohammed Bin Buraykan

Yasser Almogbel

Azher Arafah

Adel Bashatah

Yazed AlRuthia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The use of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) to promote sales of over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals used to manage common medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is increasing. However, the educational value of these advertisements as well as the public perceptions of this type of advertising remain largely unknown among non-English speaking populations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the public perceptions and educational value of a short motion graphic video documenting the lifestyle of person with GERD and presenting a brief introduction to the role of proton pump Inhibitors (PPIs) in relieving the symptoms.

Methods: This was a prospective quasi-experimental study in which a short mock advertising motion graphic video was shown to a sample of adult individuals in malls and shopping centers in different cities across Saudi Arabia. Participants were required to express their levels of agreement with six statements concerning their perceptions of DTCA of OTC drugs, and answer a quiz consisting of three questions and enquiries about their knowledge of GERD and the OTC drugs used in its treatment.

Results: Two hundred and ninety-five participants were involved in this study, the majority of whom were female (55.30%). After watching the video, the percentages of participants who strongly agreed or agreed that DTCA is a credible source of information and encourages them to purchase the marketed drug have increased significantly (<0.05). With regard to the quiz, the percentages of participants with correct answers regarding the definition of GERD, knowledge of OTC drugs for GERD, and awareness of the common side effects of PPIs increased from 81.69% to 95.93%, 69.83% to 96.27%, and 46.44% to 91.53%, respectively (<0.0001).

Conclusion: DTCA of OTC drugs for GERD, particularly if the content complies with the regulatory requirements, can promote the public knowledge of the disease and treatment options.

Citing Articles

Pharmaceutical Advertising and Public Perceptions in Saudi Arabia.

Alnuhait M, Althobaiti H, Alharbi M, Alahmadi R, Althubaiti Y, Alsaedi A Pharmacy (Basel). 2024; 12(6).

PMID: 39449468 PMC: 11503259. DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy12060159.

Assessment of Awareness and Knowledge of Proton Pump Inhibitors Among the General Population in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

Almuzaini R, Almuzaini A, Alqifari A, Alsohaibani A, Almutlaq L, Alwehaibi R Cureus. 2023; 15(10):e46749.

PMID: 38021654 PMC: 10631649. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46749.

Self-medication among adults with chronic health conditions: a population-based cross-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia.

Alwhaibi M, Bin Malik S, Alswailem L, AlRuthia Y BMJ Open. 2023; 13(4):e069206.

PMID: 37068891 PMC: 10111896. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069206.

References

Mansfield P, Mintzes B, Richards D, Toop L . Direct to consumer advertising. BMJ. 2005; 330(7481):5-6. PMC: 539827. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.330.7481.5. View

El-Serag H, Sweet S, Winchester C, Dent J . Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut. 2013; 63(6):871-80. PMC: 4046948. DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269. View

Donohue J . A history of drug advertising: the evolving roles of consumers and consumer protection. Milbank Q. 2006; 84(4):659-99. PMC: 2690298. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0009.2006.00464.x. View

Bradford W, Kleit A, Nietert P, Ornstein S . Effects of direct-to-consumer advertising of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors on attainment of LDL-C goals. Clin Ther. 2007; 28(12):2105-18. DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2006.12.015. View

. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA. 2013; 310(20):2191-4. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2013.281053. View

Korenstein D, Keyhani S, Mendelson A, Ross J . Adherence of pharmaceutical advertisements in medical journals to FDA guidelines and content for safe prescribing. PLoS One. 2011; 6(8):e23336. PMC: 3157354. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023336. View

Polen H, Khanfar N, Clauson K . Impact of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on patient health-related behaviors and issues. Health Mark Q. 2009; 26(1):42-55. DOI: 10.1080/07359680802473521. View

Savarino V, Di Mario F, Scarpignato C . Proton pump inhibitors in GORD An overview of their pharmacology, efficacy and safety. Pharmacol Res. 2008; 59(3):135-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2008.09.016. View

Gilbody S, Wilson P, Watt I . Benefits and harms of direct to consumer advertising: a systematic review. Qual Saf Health Care. 2005; 14(4):246-50. PMC: 1744049. DOI: 10.1136/qshc.2004.012781. View

10.

Donohue J, Cevasco M, Rosenthal M . A decade of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. N Engl J Med. 2007; 357(7):673-81. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa070502. View

11.

Al-Jumaili A, Al-Rekabi M, Sorofman B . Evaluation of instruments to assess health literacy in Arabic language among Iraqis. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2015; 11(6):803-13. DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2015.02.002. View

12.

Morris N, MacLean C, Chew L, Littenberg B . The Single Item Literacy Screener: evaluation of a brief instrument to identify limited reading ability. BMC Fam Pract. 2006; 7:21. PMC: 1435902. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2296-7-21. View

13.

Al-Haddad M, Hamam F, Al-Shakhshir S . General public knowledge, perceptions and practice towards pharmaceutical drug advertisements in the Western region of KSA. Saudi Pharm J. 2014; 22(2):119-26. PMC: 3950503. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2013.03.002. View

14.

Faerber A, Kreling D . Content analysis of false and misleading claims in television advertising for prescription and nonprescription drugs. J Gen Intern Med. 2013; 29(1):110-8. PMC: 3889958. DOI: 10.1007/s11606-013-2604-0. View

15.

Hwang M, Young H . Enhancing the educational value of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2017; 57(5):571-578. DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2017.05.008. View

16.

Wang B, Kesselheim A . The role of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising in patient consumerism. Virtual Mentor. 2013; 15(11):960-5. DOI: 10.1001/virtualmentor.2013.15.11.pfor1-1311. View

17.

Mackey T, Cuomo R, Liang B . The rise of digital direct-to-consumer advertising?: Comparison of direct-to-consumer advertising expenditure trends from publicly available data sources and global policy implications. BMC Health Serv Res. 2015; 15:236. PMC: 4472256. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-015-0885-1. View

18.

Mintzes B, Barer M, Kravitz R, Bassett K, Lexchin J, Kazanjian A . How does direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) affect prescribing? A survey in primary care environments with and without legal DTCA. CMAJ. 2003; 169(5):405-12. PMC: 183290. View

19.

Hrelja N, Zerem E . Proton pump inhibitors in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Med Arh. 2011; 65(1):52-5. View

20.

Wilkes M, Bell R, Kravitz R . Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising: trends, impact, and implications. Health Aff (Millwood). 2000; 19(2):110-28. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.19.2.110. View