The U.S. is one of only two countries that allows direct-to-consumer prescription drug ads. And the U.S. General Accounting Office says the FDA isn't reviewing enough ads completely enough or fast enough, according to the Associated Press.
Key points about the GAO report, according to AP:
"From 2002 through 2005, it took the Food and Drug Administration four months on average to draft, approve and send warning letters and other correspondence to companies that were in violation of the rules."
"The FDA lacks an effective way to screen, review and track the more than 10,000 ads and Web sites brought to the agency's attention each year. The amount has doubled in just four years."
The report says the FDA has only six people reviewing these ads.
Posted by schwitz at December 15, 2006 08:39 AM | TrackBack