FTC Urges Revised Side-Effects Rules

The Federal Trade Commission, concluding that consumers do not read the lengthy lists of side effects required on prescription-drug print ads, is recommending that the Food and Drug Administration provide a simpler way to communicate that information to the public. The FTC suggested that people be directed to more consumer-friendly sources. Current FDA rules require a list of side effects in print and an announcer discussing potential side effects in broadcast direct-to-consumer drug ads.