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Deontological Paper

Decent Essays

MGMT 368 Business Ethics
Week 4 Deontological Second Paper
April 15, 2012
Direct-to-consumer drug advertising - Deontological Point ofView
For many years, consumers relied and depended on the expertise and knowledge of physicians to make decisions on their pharmaceutical needs. Before 1985, prescription drugs could not be advertised directly to consumers. The U.S Food and Drug Administration passed a rule that allowed Direct-to-consumer drug advertising in 1985. This ruling was passed on the condition that warning information was provided about side effects and other dangers. “Directto- consumer advertising is the promotion of prescription drugs through newspaper, magazine, television, and internet marketing. Drug companies also …show more content…

When the advertisements are viewed by patients,it encourages people to contact their doctor similar symptoms, it is the physician's duty to make a accurate diagnosis and give a prescription only if it is needed. The physician's motive should be to treat the patient to the best of their ability with effective medicines.
On the contrary, the argument would be that because the drugs have serious side effects that require a prescription, it should be up to physicians on whether the medicines is best for the patient. “Broadcast advertising creates false impressions about effectiveness and downplays downplays possible adverse effects. Such advertising leads to self-diagnosis.” (DeGeorge
Richard ) Patients then pressure physician's for the acceptable, popular drugs, and physician's often give in to the pressure to satisfy them, even though it is not a well-informed choice.
“Seeing the ads on TV increases patients trust in them when they are prescribed by their doctors, and simple name recognition makes the drugs more acceptable.” (DeGeorge Richard ) This makes treatment determinations difficult for physician. As there could be other drugs, not being advertised, that would work best for the patient. However is the the duty of the physician to use their expertise and knowledge of the patients condition to

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