This paper explains that
direct-to-consumer advertising is considered to be a powerful marketing tool and to be a helpful
service for patients who wish to be informed about their options and be active in their own treatment; however,
direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription medications may hinder effective health care in several ways including reducing doctor-patient communication. The author concludes that the analyzed
commercials for Allegra D to treat allergy symptoms and an unnamed cholesterol-fighting drug did adhere to the FDA guidelines. The paper states that these gimmicky commercials are not actually informative to the general public; they are simply a tool used by the medication companies to benefit from the consumerist impulses of the population.