The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented new rules for TV drug ads to make them clearer and more direct in explaining medication risks and side effects.
The guidelines aim to eliminate industry practices that downplay or distract viewers from essential risk information in drug ads.
The big picture: The rules, effective November 20, emphasize simple language without medical jargon, and prohibit distracting visuals and audio effects in TV and radio drug ads.
- Companies are required to present drug risk information in a clear, conspicuous, and neutral manner as mandated by a 2007 law.
- The regulations address past manipulation of visuals and audio in ads to de-emphasize safety information, ensuring ads are more complete and transparent.
- The new rules also include displaying on-screen text about side effects while the audio plays, aiming to enhance recall and understanding.
