Petition to End the Use of Physician-Biased Language in DTC Advertising
|
| |
Direct to consumer (DTC) advertising by pharmaceutical and medical device companies should provide healthcare consumers with balanced, clear and accurate information. Instead, the majority of DTC advertisements use physician-biased language, misleading consumers about their healthcare provider options.
Phrases such as “ask your doctor”, “tell your physician” and, most egregiously, “only a doctor” ignore the care provided by over 125,000 nurse practitioners (NPs),who hold prescriptive privileges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and write over 513 million prescriptions annually. We assess, diagnose, and manage both acute and chronic conditions and are proven providers of high-quality, cost-effective, and personalized health care. It is unacceptable for DTC advertisers to continue using language falsely suggesting that only physicians have the expertise to manage healthcare needs.
The exclusive use of the terms “doctor” or “physician” instead of others such as “healthcare provider”, “prescriber”, or “clinician” by DTC advertisers is a disservice to everyone.
Click here to enter the petition site. |
|