Bill Overview
Title: Banning Misleading Drug Ads Act of 2022
Description: This bill finalizes a 2010 proposed rule from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding television and radio prescription drug advertisements if the FDA does not otherwise issue a final rule within 180 days of the bill's enactment. (The proposed rule specifies standards for major statements about a drug's side effects in television and radio advertisements.)
Sponsors: Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]
Target Audience
Population: People who watch drug advertisements and consume prescription medications
Estimated Size: 131000000
- The bill directly impacts people who consume prescription medications, as they rely on advertisements for drug information.
- Television and radio audiences, especially those who are responsive to prescription drug ads, will be impacted.
- Pharmaceutical companies will need to adjust marketing strategies to adhere to any new requirements, indirectly impacting consumers.
- Ensuring accuracy in drug advertisements may impact individuals who may otherwise be misled about side effects, thus impacting their health decisions.
Reasoning
- The target population for this analysis includes people who regularly consume prescription medications and are exposed to drug advertisements on television and radio.
- We will include a broad representation of individuals such as older adults, busy working professionals, and even healthcare professionals who can provide insights into how these ads might affect medication choices.
- The budgetary limitation provides a constraint on how numbers and extent of impact are defined. Positive outcomes should relate to reduced risks from taking medications with side effects that were previously not emphasized in ads.
- Consideration must be given not only to people who would actively review changes in ads and make informed decisions but also those unlikely to be affected due to less engagement with these mediums.
- We assume the impacts in terms of enhanced wellbeing are long-term, as better advertising regulations can prevent long-term health risks associated with misleading information.
Simulated Interviews
Retired teacher (Florida)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful about this policy as I often find drug advertisements confusing. They quickly list side effects while showing happy families. I trust ads to provide clear information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Marketing executive (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy is necessary because as someone in marketing, I know how strategic communication can overshadow important content—such as side effects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Healthcare professional (New York)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a healthcare provider, I support this policy because patients often cite these ads, influencing their medication requests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Administrative assistant (Texas)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the policy since I often feel rushed when they list side effects in ads—I want to be sure of what I'm hearing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software engineer (Illinois)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I probably won't be much affected by the policy since I get my information online more than from TV or radio.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Homemaker (Ohio)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It sounds like a step in the right direction, but I remain skeptical as to how much ads can really change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Truck driver (North Carolina)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Radio ads can be too fast for me to catch all details—they should slow down and be clearer; this policy could help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired engineer (Arizona)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support stricter regulations on drug ads—I'd rather they get more precise than leave side effects ambiguous.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Freelancer (Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm neutral to this policy; it's probably good, but I don't expect it to change much for someone like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Corporate lawyer (New Jersey)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don’t engage much with drug ads since I prefer researching online; however, clarity in ads can prevent influence on less informed consumers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $22000000 (Low: $17000000, High: $27000000)
Year 3: $19000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $24000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $12000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $16000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The regulation will require continuous oversight to ensure that pharmaceutical companies comply with new standards.
- Both initial and ongoing enforcement costs must be carefully balanced against the potential for improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.