FDA Investigating Effect of Drug Price Promotions
FDA is investigating how pharmaceutical companies' use of coupons and rebates on prescription drugs influences consumers' views of the products, Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal reports. FDA on Friday posted a notice on its Web site stating that it is seeking comments on a proposed study on consumers who have been diagnosed with insomnia.
In the statement, which will be published in Monday's Federal Register, FDA said the study is part of an effort to obtain "empirical data about consumers' perceptions" of coupons. FDA said, "Coupons and price promotions may imply superior drug efficacy" and prompt consumers to focus more on the benefits than on the risks of a medication.
FDA said pharmaceutical companies are required to present a "balanced" view of the risks and benefits of a product in its drug ads. Data from the study will be used "to justify future regulatory changes," the agency said.
According to Dow Jones/Journal, FDA would not suggest changes -- such as eliminating price promotions as part of consumer advertising -- for some time (Corbett Dooren, Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal, 2/5).