A recent editorial in the New York Times argues that proposals for so-called “fact boxes” on prescription drugs should be made law. As the editorial staff writes,
Bombarded with pharmaceutical ads listing what seems like every conceivable side effect, American consumers might think they are already getting too much information. But they — and their doctors — are not getting what arguably matters most: independent, plain-English facts about the medication.
Fortunately, there is a simple model for getting such information across. The government should follow through on proposals to require fact boxes, similar to those that appear on food packaging, in every ad drug makers produce and along with every package of medication they sell.
Loads of research shows that too much information all at once can result in confusion, frustration and lack of understanding. Regulations such as the proposed fact box would lend further momentum for the patient rights movement that puts more power in the patient’s hands.
Would fact boxes similar to the nutrition data found on cereal boxes work for people who take prescription drugs? How would doctors react to the simplification of complex information? Would fact boxes lead to people demanding certain drugs more or less than they already do?
