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News & Events > CDER Conversations

The Division of Drug Information (DDI)- serving the public by providing information on human drug products and drug product regulation by FDA.

Talking with Kathryn Aikin, Ph.D., who is a Senior Social Science Analyst and Research Team Lead in the Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, Office of Medical Policy, CDER.

In the past, prescription drug makers typically marketed their drugs only to health care professionals. In the 1980s and early 1990s, companies began to market their products to consumers through direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads, via both print and broadcast media. The Guidance for Industry on Consumer-directed Broadcast Advertisements (finalized in 1999), clarified how a company may fulfill the “adequate provision” obligation for broadcast ads. This obligation stated that, in addition to including important risk information, broadcast ads should describe the sources a consumer can use to find complete prescribing and risk information for the drug.

CDER’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion (OPDP) is charged with ensuring that prescription drug marketing information is truthful, balanced and accurately communicated. Senior Social Science Analyst and Team Lead Kathryn Aikin, Ph.D., describes the research conducted in support of OPDP’s mission.

For more information please visit: Prescription Drug Advertising.